Sanitation and
Hygiene
It is critical for
you to remember to practice basic hygiene during the emergency period.
Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or
disinfected:
- before preparing
or eating food;
- after toilet use;
- after
participating in flood cleanup activities; and
- after handling
articles contaminated with flood water or sewage.
Flood waters may
contain fecal material from overflowing sewage systems, and agricultural
and industrial byproducts. Although skin contact with flood water does
not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, there is some risk of
disease from eating or drinking anything contaminated with flood water.
If you have any open cuts or sores that will be exposed to flood water,
keep them as clean as possible by washing well with soap to control
infection. If a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek
immediate medical attention.
In addition, parents
need to help children avoid waterborne illness. Do not allow children to
play in flood water areas, wash children's hands frequently (always
before meals), and do not allow children to play with flood-water
contaminated toys that have not been disinfected. You can disinfect toys
using a solution of one cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water. |
