Press Release
AUGUST 26th, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
CONTACT: JEAN
MALECKI
PHONE:561-582-5666
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WEST PALM BEACH, FL-
Hurricanes can cause
flooding. Although skin
contact with flood waters
does not, by itself, pose a
serious health risk, health
hazards are a concern when
waters become contaminated.
Flood waters may contain
fecal material, associated
bacteria and viruses.
DOH recommends the
following precautions to
prevent possible illness
from flood waters:
-
Basic hygiene is
critical. 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.
-
Avoid eating or
drinking anything
that has been
contaminated with
flood waters.
-
Do not wade through
standing water. If
you do, bathe and
put on clean clothes
as soon as possible.
-
Avoid contact with
flood waters if you
have open cuts or
sores. If you have
any open cuts or
sores and cannot
avoid contact with
flood waters, 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. Residents
who sustain
lacerations and/or
puncture wounds and
have not had a
tetanus vaccination
within the past 10
years require a
tetanus booster.
-
If there is a
backflow of sewage
into your house,
wear rubber boots
and waterproof
gloves during
cleanup. Remove and
discard absorbent
household materials,
such as wall
coverings, cloth,
rugs, and sheetrock.
Clean walls and
hard-surfaced floors
with soap and water
and disinfect with a
solution of 1/4 cup
of bleach to one
gallon of water.
Thoroughly disinfect
food contact
surfaces (counter
tops, refrigerators,
tables) and areas
where small children
play. Wash all
linens and clothing
in hot water. Air
dry larger items in
the sun and spray
them with a
disinfectant. Steam
clean all
carpeting..
If your plumbing is
functioning slowly or
sluggishly, you should:
-
Conserve water as
much as possible;
the less water used
the less sewage the
septic tank must
process. Minimize
use of your washing
machine. Go to a
Laundromat. Rental
of a portable toilet
for a temporary
period may be
another option.
-
Do not have the
septic tank pumped.
Exceptionally high
water tables might
crush a septic tank
that was pumped dry.
If the fundamental
problem is high
ground water,
pumping the tank
does nothing to
solve that problem.
-
If you cannot use
your plumbing
without creating a
sanitary nuisance,
i.e., without sewage
being exposed,
consider moving to a
new location until
conditions improve.
-
Do not have the
septic tank and
drainfield repaired
until the ground has
dried. Often systems
are completely
functional when
unsaturated
conditions return.
Any repair must be
permitted and
inspected by your
county health
department.
####
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