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Flooding and Health
Precautions to be taken
There are many threats to the safety and health of a person during and after flooding has occurred. Floodwater can be contaminated with sewage, animal waste and other waste from drains or the surrounding area, and so could be contaminated with harmful bacteria or chemicals. Many precautions can be taken to ensure you, your family members, and friends can stay safe and protect your health during and after a flood.
General Safety:
- Try to avoid coming into contact with flood water
- If you have to go into the floodwater wear waterproof protective clothing such as Wellington boots and gloves
- Use clean water, detergent, and a domestic kitchen disinfectant to clean and disinfect surfaces, pans, plates, cutlery and plastic/glass chopping boards before preparing food.
- Throw away wooden chopping boards
- Wash your hands using hot soapy water before preparing food, after being in contact with floodwater, sewage and with items that have been in the floodwater
- Do not eat any food that has touched or been covered by floodwater or sewage. However it is OK to eat produce that has been cooked, even if it has been contaminated by floodwater as cooking will kill any harmful germs that might be present
- Do not eat any produce grown on an allotment or garden that has been flooded, unless it has been adequately cooked. All ready-to-eat produce that is grown above ground such as lettuce and strawberries should be thrown away. It is fine to eat produce that is grown above the water and not contaminated with floodwater such as fruit on trees
- It is important to wait at least 6 months after an area has been flooded, before harvesting any new fruit or vegetables from the affected land. However you do not need to wait 6 months if the fruit or vegetables will be cooked before being eaten Clean and disinfect the inside of your fridge and food cupboards if they have been touched by floodwater
- If there is a possibility that tap water has become contaminated, boil and cool it before using it to wash hands and food that will not be cooked, such as fruit or salads
- If your power has been cut off and your fridge does not work for a few hours, throw away the food inside. If your freezer has not been working, throw away any meat, fish or dairy products, or foods containing these if they have started to get soft.
Pages in Flooding and Health
- You are here: Precautions to be taken
- Childrens Safety
- Health & Safety In Flooding
- Useful Contacts