Protecting Yourself After a Flood

11/13/2018 (Permalink)

Four Safety Tips To Protect Yourself After A Flood

If your Valley Brook,OK, home is in the path of a flood, you may find yourself taking precautions before the storm arrives, but what about after? Flood safety is still important when the water clears, and there are many dangers to look out for due to the damage that’s left behind. Here are four safety tips for protecting yourself after a flood.

1. Wait for the "all clear" from authorities.

After a flood, it’s important to keep an eye on local news, the NOAA weather radio, or reliable sources on social media. These outlets will let you know when the storm has officially passed, roadways are clear, and water is safe to use again.

2. Use caution when entering a building.

The extreme pressure of floodwater can cause structural damage to homes and buildings. It’s important to have professionals assess buildings for structural hazards and the need for storm damage repairs before entering.

3. Don’t use any of the water.

Floodwater may be heavily contaminated with hazardous chemicals and raw sewage. To ensure your flood safety, it’s important not to use any of the water for cleaning, cooking, or other tasks. As the water lowers, avoid it as much as possible to protect yourself from floating debris, sharp objects, or even dangerous animals such as snakes.

4. Clean everything the water touched.

Cleaning up is one of the most important tasks after a flood. Because of the toxins from sewage and chemicals, it’s important to disinfect or throw away anything the water touched, especially food. Wear protective gear such as boots and gloves while cleaning, and immediately discard anything that absorbs water and can’t be disinfected. When in doubt, throw it out.

Some of the most important steps in flood safety happen after the water is gone. Dangerous hazards will linger until everything has been cleaned and repaired by professionals, so it’s important to follow these safety tips to protect yourself and your Valley Brook,OK, home.