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Department of Health and Hospitals Safety Tips

Posted on: Wednesday, 7 September 2005, 18:00 CDT

As the flood waters of Hurricane Katrina recede and cleanup efforts begin, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals offers the following tips to prevent injury and the spread of disease.

Tetanus Shots

DHH officials said there is no need for any special immunizations in the wake of the hurricane. However, people who cut or puncture themselves while cleaning up after the storm should get a tetanus shot if they have not had one in the past five years.

Precautions during cleanup

People whose homes were flooded should assume everything touched by floodwater is contaminated and will have to be disinfected. Most clean up can be done with household cleaning products.

Wash hands frequently during clean up and always wear rubber gloves.

Clean all walls, hard-surface floors and other household surfaces with soap and water and disinfect them with a solution of 1 1/2 cups of chlorine bleach to one gallon of water. Pay particular attention to areas that come in contact with food, or where small children play.

After cleaning a room or item, go over it again with disinfectant to kill germs and odors left by floodwaters.

Use a two-bucket method when cleaning. Put cleaning solution in one bucket and rinse water in the other. Replace rinse water frequently.

Wash all linens and clothing in hot water, or dry clean them.

Contaminated mattresses and upholstered furniture should be discarded in a proper manner because cleaning is generally more expensive than replacement.

Carpets should be steam cleaned or discarded, along with the padding.

Wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during cleanup if sewage backed up into the home.

Remove and discard contaminated household goods such as wall coverings, rugs, cloth and drywall that can't be disinfected.

Remove mildew with household mildew cleaner; a mixture of five tablespoons washing soda, or trisodium phosphate, to a gallon of water, or 1 1/2 cup of laundry chlorine bleach to a gallon of water.

Empty standing water out of birdbaths, tires, flower pots and other containers.

If the pilot light on a natural gas furnace, hot-water heater or stove goes out, have it re-lit by a professional (gas company employee or licensed plumber).

Throw out any food item that has come in contact with the floodwaters, including jarred items that were covered by the water.

Do not drink water until it has been declared safe for drinking or has been boiled according to recommendations.

Preventing post-storm injury

The dangers associated with hurricanes aren't necessarily over once the storm has passed. Accidents and injuries often occur while people try to deal with power outages or begin cleanup efforts.

Insect stings and wounds caused by chain saws, motor vehicle accidents and falls account for many storm-related injuries.

Walk and drive cautiously. Avoid debris and flooded areas, which can camouflage sharp objects, electrical wires, holes and other hazards. Watch out for loose or dangling power lines; stay away from them and report them to the proper authorities.

Be cautious around standing water and flooded areas. The water may be deeper than it appears.

Do not leave children unattended. Do not allow them to play in or explore damaged or flooded areas. Keep chemicals used for cleaning and disinfecting, fuel for generators and pest-control substances out of reach of children.

Wear sturdy shoes or boots and protective clothing such as heavy pants, long sleeves and gloves when cleaning up debris. Stinging insects such as bees and wasps can become very aggressive after a storm. Survey the area before beginning and use a commercially available pesticide if needed.

Be aware that animals are more likely to bite and be aggressive after a storm. Cats and dogs are stressed by the event, while many wild animals may have been forced out of their normal surroundings by the hurricane. Look for snakes and rats as you clean up.

Exercise particular caution in using power tools or tackling large debris, which can shift suddenly. Chain saws are particularly dangerous; get proper safety training before using one.

Falls are common; use safety equipment and get trained help with large or difficult jobs. Don't take chances and don't drink alcoholic beverages before or during the use of power tools. Alcohol dulls the ability to see dangerous situations.

If the electrical power is off, cooking on a charcoal or gas grill is dangerous because of carbon monoxide. An odorless, colorless gas produced by combustion, carbon monoxide can be deadly. Use a grill only in an open, well-ventilated area, never inside the house, and keep it away from combustible materials.

The exhaust fumes from gasoline-powered generators are another source of carbon monoxide poisoning. Never use a generator in an enclosed area such as a basement or garage. Make sure the area is well-ventilated, dry and preferably covered.

Generators also pose electrical hazards. Do not connect the generator to a home's electrical system. Instead, connect appliances directly to the generator with properly sized, polarized extension cords.

Source: Advocate; Baton Rouge, La.

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