Food and Water Safety After a Flood

Floods are the most common natural hazard in North America and we seem to have had to endure a whole series of them recently.

A devastating flood can occur at any time of the year and are mostly by heavy rains, rapid melting of a thick snow pack, ice jams, or only rarely, the failure of a natural or man-made dam.

One the main issues will affect all live in an area that was flooded is that of food and water safety.

food safety after a flood

If if in doubt - throw it out!

You must check that food has come anywhere near flood water is very, very cautious. Flood waters can be contaminated sludge, chemical wastes, petroleum products and even raw sewage, the storm damaged can be unsafe food eat.

Even the slightest contact with flood can lead to contamination. It is a simple, basic rule: all foods, the flood affected should dispose of. This also applies to all fresh produce, meat, poultry, fish and eggs. Foods in jars, including all unopened jars. Dispose of all food in bags and all open containers and packages.

The only exception to this rule would be undamaged food in sealed in metal cans. It is safe for use, as long as you carefully cleaned and disinfected before the doses opening.

This means you must remove the labels and thoroughly wash them with a scrub brush in a strong detergent with chlorine bleach, then rinse well in clear water. The bleach solution should be a half cup of bleach to a gallon of water. You may want to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands during this process.

prepared

This brings the question, in preparation for a disaster. Nothing will help you and your family through any emergency as in preparation for it.

It may take up to three days before the emergency services and runs in your area. After an emergency preparedness kit, stored high and dry, you can literally a lifesaver.

A supply of food, drinking water and some additional equipment such as light sticks, Dynamo FM radio, flashlight, hygiene kit, waterproof matches, candles for emergencies, hygiene Kit and first aid care is unaffordable for you and your family.

cooking and cookware

If your cookware and kitchen utensils come in contact with flood waters, they will require special treatment.

Take next to each item, this can be cleaned in pieces. If possible, remove handles all of pans.

Wash porcelain, glass dishes, cups and pots and pans, in contact with floodwaters.

Use hot soapy water and a brush to remove dirt. Rinse and then place them in a sanitizing bleach solution for at least 10 minutes and then rinse well in clear water. The bleach solution should be a half cup bleach to one gallons water.

Disinfect silver, metal utensils, pots and pans and cooking in clean water for 10 minutes.

Chlorine bleach should not be used, in this case reacted with many because they Metals and causes darken. Throw away dishes with cracks and soft, porous plastic or wooden items saturated by flood, because they can not be rehabilitated. These include baby bottles, nipples and pacifiers. You can not sure disinfected.

Potable Water

Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink!

After a flood, you should assume that all water sources are contaminated until they have all safe.

Boil rain and tap water and water from containers you are not completely safe. Use only bottled, boiled, or treated water for drinking, cooking or cooking, washing, cleaning, brushing your teeth, wash your hands, so that ice, and bathing until your water supply is tested and found safe .

There are also a few excellent water filtration bottles and Emergency water filter on the market, are very effective in the production of clean drinking water from almost any water source. It is the same systems that were approved by the U.S. army during the Katrina disaster.

If a private good for your water supply, make sure that the water tested before you again. Use an alcohol-based hand disinfectant to wash your hands, if you have only a limited supply of clean water.

flood

Avoid contact with flood waters, if at all possible, but if you wading in flood during or after the disaster, remember that you are in contact with many harmful contaminants, which health risks. Always wash after contact with floodwater.

I sincerely hope that you have found this article useful in planning your family preparedness.

Allan Wright
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