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Kitchen
Items & Food Safety Issues
- To disinfect
dishes by hand, remove visible dirt, then soak 2 minutes in disinfecting
solution. Rinse well with purified water.
- Discard all
soft plastic and porous items, such as wooden spoons and cutting
boards, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers, which may have absorbed
contaminants.
- Dispose of
food items - including canned goods - that may have come in contact
with flood waters.
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Remove
Standing Water
Standing water is
a breeding ground for microorganisms, which can become airborne and be
inhaled. Where floodwater contains sewage or decaying animal carcasses,
infectious disease is of concern. Even when flooding is due to rainwater,
the growth of microorganisms can cause allergic reactions in sensitive
individuals. For these health reasons, and to lessen structural damage,
all standing water should be removed as quickly as possible.
Dry
Out Your Home
Excess moisture in
the home is an indoor air quality concern for three reasons:
- Microorganisms
brought into the home during flooding may present a health hazard.
These organisms can penetrate deep into soaked porous materials
and later be released into air or water. Coming in contact with
air or water that contains these organisms can make you sick.
- High humidity
and moist materials provide ideal environments for the excessive
growth of microorganisms that are always present in the home.
This may result in additional health concerns such as allergic
reactions.
- Long term
increases in humidity in the home can also foster the growth of
dust mites. Dust mites are a major cause of allergic reactions
and asthma.
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Be patient. The drying
out process could take several weeks, and growth of microorganisms will
continue as long as humidity is high.
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