When it's time for you to clean up your house after a flood, one of the major health concerns is coming into contact with hazardous household products, like rat poison, insect repellent, pesticides, household cleaners and disinfectants, as well as other harmful chemicals that may have been exposed to the floodwater.
Ideally, these toxic substances should be well-kept in high places. But since the flood level in many areas rose much higher than expected, that may not be the case. Here are some safety procedures you should follow:
All chemical storage bottles and containers, as well as batteries that have been submerged in floodwater must be thrown away.
When dealing with chemical storage bottles or containers, you should always wear rubber gloves and avoid direct contact.
Put all the bottles or containers in a separate plastic garbage bag and clearly label it so the garbage collector knows what's inside the bag.
Thoroughly clean the area where the bottles or containers were found or where the chemicals may have spilled with clean water. Avoid using chemicals to clean the floor.
People exposed to water that is tainted with chemicals may develop a rash, experience itching or irritation to the eyes.
Immediately rinse the affected area with water and dry with a clean towel. Then contact the Medical Sciences Department on 02-591-1707.
DANGER OF ELECTROCUTION
Those returning to their houses after a flood should be aware of the risk of electrocution if using electrical appliances that have been wet or damaged by water, or an electrical fire caused by damaged wiring or short circuit.
If you are unsure the power has been completely cut off from your home or in your area, avoid touching any metal objects, such as doorknobs, locks, fences, lamp poles, etc.
Always wear thick rubber gloves and rubber boots when checking the circuit breaker. Never touch a circuit breaker that has been submerged in water or exposed to it for a long time. If so, wait for a qualified electrician to deal with it.
Check electrical appliances, cables and sockets for any signs of flood damage. Never use electrical appliances, sockets and wires that have been submerged in water until they have been thoroughly checked by a qualified electrician. Contact the Metropolitan Electricity Authority on 1130.
OTHER FLOOD-INDUCED DISEASES
If possible, open all the doors and windows to allow for proper air ventilation. Besides, sunlight is effective in killing germs and inhibiting bacterial growth.
Next, clean the dirty and mucky floors and every part of the house. Wash stinky clothes that have been kept in the cupboard and dry them out in the sun to help kill germs.
It's also important that you eat freshly cooked meals and drink clean water to stay in good health and help reduce the impact of communicable diseases post-disaster.
- Mould
It's highly likely people will come into contact with mould on curtains, cupboards, walls, clothes, air-conditioning ducts and carpet after being submerged in dirty floodwater for a long period of time. Green and black mould, in particular, can cause skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis.
It's always better to discard any unimportant/cheap items which have mould on them. To remove mould on furniture or clothing, put them out to dry first or use a fan, then clean them with mould killer solution. Opening all the windows can also help reduce condensation in the house.
Mould on parts of the ceiling or air-conditioning insulation needs to be replaced. Wash all curtains, bedding and blankets using bleach, then disinfect and leave out to completely dry.
- Bacteria
Leptospirosis is an infection caused by bacteria from the genus Leptospira, which can infect both humans and animals. Rats, mice, dogs and cats are among the primary hosts;
the infection is commonly transmitted to humans when water containing urine from these infected animals come into contact with the skin, in particular, open wounds, the eye, the ear, or through swallowing. The bacteria can last for 30-45 days.
Bacteria can affect the digestive tract which can lead to diarrhoea, typhoid, and dysentery.
To prevent chances of infection, throw away any leftovers and thoroughly clean the floors with disinfectant.
- Parasite
Parasites, such as hookworms, thrive in soil and sand. To avoid them, always wash your hands, especially before meals. Children in particular should avoid putting their dirty hands into their mouth.
Apart from diseases, stress can become a major health concern during and after a flood. It affects people both physically and emotionally. Stress can cause hormonal imbalances of cortisol and DHEA, which is secreted by the adrenal glands.
This can lead to a lowered immune system. Elderly people and children in particular are venerable to stress, and therefore are more susceptible to diseases. (Information supplied by Kluaynamthai Hospital)
- Poisonous animals
Snakes usually get away when people return home because they don't like any disturbance. Make sure you immediately tidy up the house to ensure there are no mice living in the area, which snakes like to eat.
Always keep your house clean and tidy and let the sunlight in to keep any creepy-crawlies, like centipedes, away.
Also make sure there are no puddles of standing water around the house, which are great breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Lastly, clear away any dry leaves and grass around the house that may provide shelter for scorpions.
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