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Flood and Post-Hurricane Safety Tips
Sunday, September 05, 2004 — When authorities say it is safe to return home, the Red Cross offers these safety tips for residents of the disaster area.
Returning home:
- Check your home by walking around the outside first before entering. If you seek cracks along the foundation, contact a home construction professional to inspect your home before going into it.
- When you do enter your home, use a flashlight, not an open flame, to inspect for damage. If you smell gas, leave your home immediately and call the fire department once outside.
- If water has been inside your home, Turn off the power with a dry stick to prevent you from getting shocked while inspecting for damage. This will also let you be in control of your home’s electrical service.
- Listen to local radio or TV for instructions about utilities serving your community. If sewer or water utilities have been damaged, do not run water or flush toilets until utilities have been repaired.
- Make sure that electrical appliances and equipment are dry before turning them back on.
- More information about repairing your flooded home.
If power is out:
- Fire can be caused by the use of candles to light homes without electrical power. Use battery-powered lanterns and flashlights only.
- If you use a generator, use it outdoors only. Keep it in a dry area away from open windows. Do not run it in a garage or basement. Plug what you need to power directly into the generator, and do not connect it to your home’s electrical system. Doing so is often against local codes and could cause backfeeding that can injure electrical repair technicians.
Food safety:
- For the first two days, start by eating the food out of your refrigerator, then the food in your freezer and then the non-perishable foods.
- If power has been out for two days (48) hours or more, it is likely that the food in your refrigerator and freezer has spoiled. Discard food from the refrigerator. Food in the freezer that still has ice crystals in it may be okay, but food that has thawed, or is above 40º F, should be discarded.
- More information on food safety during a power outage.
Water for healthy living:
- Drink plenty of water and non-alcoholic liquids – eight glasses per day.
- Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, as they are dehydrating and can make you more thirsty.
- Drink bottled water, or water you have stored in advance until you know if the water is safe. If that runs out and you need more water, drink water from melted ice cubes or from the water heater once it has been turned off and is cool.
- Do not drink water from the toilet bowl or tank, or water from a bathtub. You can use water stored in a bathtub for cleaning and to flush the toilet, but not for drinking or cooking.
- Water will be provided in communities if local water service is not working by the Red Cross, local governments and other agencies. Listen to local news for information on water availability.
- More information on water treatment.
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