These basic precautions can help to prevent disease:
- Avoid skin contact with sewer water, especially cuts and sores. Keep them clean and covered.
- Do not allow children to play in areas contaminated by sewage backup.
- Do not eat or drink anything exposed to sewer water.
- Keep contaminated objects, such as water and hands away from mucous membranes (mouth, eyes and nose).
- Wash hands frequently, especially after bathroom use, before eating and immediately following contact with sewer water or contaminated objects or surfaces.
Food and Water Safety
Use only bottled or disinfected water for drinking, cooking, tooth brushing and bathing until you are sure the water supply is safe. Discard food exposed to contaminated waters. If refrigerators or freezers have taken in water, discard food stored there. If no water entered these appliances, but power was lost long enough for foods to thaw, discard all partially thawed foods unless prepared immediately.
Discard milk, cheeses and other foods prone to spoilage.
Completely thawed meats and vegetables should be discarded without question. Discard all bulging or leaking canned food and any food stored in jars. Undented, intact cans can be cleaned with a bleach solution before use.
Check any submerged water lines for leaks and flush with potable water to insure the lines are clear of any flood water.
For more information call the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Food, Drugs and Dairies at 217-785-2439.
After the flood, removal and cleanup of sewer or flood water is essential. It is important to take the following precautions to prevent injury:
- Turn off main power switches if necessary. Air out and wipe dry all appliances and electrical outlets exposed to water before use.
- If you have fuel oil or gas systems, be sure tanks are secure and all lines are free from breaks.
- Wear rubber boots, gloves and a dust mask during removal and cleanup.
- Open windows if possible to ventilate and dry the area. Fans can be used to help with drying.
- Keep children from playing in water.
The following cleaning guidelines may help prevent the transmission of disease and reduce property loss:
- Discard any contaminated objects that cannot be thoroughly washed or laundered.
- Wash contaminated surfaces and objects with warm, soapy water and then disinfect them with a bleach and water solution made of no more than one cup of 5.25 percent chlorine bleach per one gallon of water. For objects that would be damaged by bleach, use a home or laundry disinfectant.
- Make sure to read and follow label instructions. Do not use ammonia. Ammonia vapors mixed with bleach vapors create a toxic gas that could be deadly.
Mobile Home Safety Tips
As waters begin to recede, safety should be a priority for everyone in the affected area. Municipalities that have manufactured home communities or manufactured homes installed on private property within their jurisdiction are encouraged to notify the manufactured home residents and park managers of possible hazards caused by flooding. Recommendations include:
- Check gas lines and connections for leaks using soapy water, call your gas supplier if you suspect a leak.
- A licensed installer should check soils around footings if washout has occurred, check shims and piers for stability and check anchors for stability from withdrawal.
- Electrical equipment that has been submerged should be checked by the local electric utility or an electrician.
- Water and sewer line hookups should be checked for proper connection, slope and leaks. A licensed plumber should make any re-connections of the plumbing if disconnected.
- Remove sections of the skirting to allow drying underneath the home.
- Check for water in ductwork and remove.
- Check any submerged water lines for leaks and flush with potable water to insure the lines are clear of any flood water.
- Homes with water damage to the floors and walls should be treated to remove moisture from the building components.
The above are recommendations and are not required. They are meant as examples of items that should be checked for the protection of the homeowners and the value of their manufactured homes. In some cases, if water did not touch the bottom of the manufactured home, only footings, piers and anchors may need to be inspected for damage. Any corrections to the support and anchoring of the home should be performed by an Illinois licensed manufactured home installer or the homeowner in accordance with the homes installation instructions.
For more information call the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Environmental Health at 217-782-5830.
