Floodwater affecting your home may have been contaminated with sewage, animal waste and other contaminants which may leave a sludge deposit.

A flood in your home may be caused by various sources:

• Burst water pipes
• Flooding during heavy storms causing overloading of sewers or drains
• Overland flooding due to high water table or more likely due to overloaded rivers and streams
• Flooding due to failure of tanks and reservoirs 

Harmful bacteria is present in sewage and may be present in clear flood water, which although it is very dilute can present a low risk to health.

There are a few steps that you can take when you are dealing with flooding

Before you start - Put your own safety first at all times

• Avoid electrical shock, wear rubber boots. Keep electrical extension cables out of water. If you have any doubts about the safety of gas or electrical systems get professional advice.
• Make sure all electrical appliances are properly switched off before electricity is restored.
• If your fuse board or sockets have been submerged do not switch the power on until the system has been checked by an electrician.
• If your gas meter or any gas appliance has been submerged, contact the British Gas emergency freephone 0800 111 999 before switching the gas on or trying to light any appliance.
• Use waterproof boots and gloves whilst cleaning up
• Always wash your hand with soap and clean water after being in contact with flood water, sewage or other items that may have been in contact with flood water
• Don’t allow children to play in flood water areas until the area is cleaned up, or a week has passed, sunshine and soil will help to break down any harmful germs.
• Wash childrens hands frequently and always before meals
• Wash and disinfect flood water contaminated toys before allowing them to be used.
• Keep any open cuts and sores covered and prevent them coming into contact with floodwater. Use waterproof plasters or waterproof gloves if the cuts are on your hands
• If anyone does develop an upset tummy after flooding then they should contact their GP or NHS Direct for advice

If the inside of your home is affected

• Remove dirty water and silt from the property including the space under the floor, this may need pumping out.
• Clothing, bedding and other soft fabric including childrens toys should be washed on a hot machine wash (60°C or the highest temperature indicated on the manufacturers instructions)
• Other soft furnishings that cannot be cleaned in a washing machine will have to be professionally cleaned or disposed of.
• Wash all hard surfaces down with hot soapy water until they look clean
• Allow to thoroughly dry, this will help to destroy any germs that are left behind.
• Heating and good ventilation will aid the drying process.
• If  the floodwater contained diesel or oil, any contamination left behind can be cleaned using a hot detergent solution.

Gardens & Play Areas

• Do not let young children play on affected grassed or paved areas until they have been cleaned down and restored to their normal conditions
• Sun light and soil help destroy harmful bacteria and any excess risk to health should disappear completely within a week or so. ( The best way of protecting health is always to wash your hands before eating or preparing food)

Food Preparation and Storage

• Don’t eat any food that has been in contact with any flood water
• Ensure that all surfaces and equipment, pots, pans and cutlery  that food will come into contact with have been cleaned using hot tap water and detergent (washing up liquid) and sanitised (using a food safe spray sanitiser available at the supermarket)
• If work tops show signs of damage do not use
• Ensure that shelves where food is stored (including the inside of the fridge) are cleaned and sanitised
• Frozen food that is at ambient temperature for a few hours should be thrown away.
• Put contaminated food into black plastic refuse sacks and put out when your next collection is due. Check with your insurers before disposal
• Don’t be tempted to use food that has been in contact with flood water, even tins may pose a health risk if they have been contaminated with sewage.
• Don't eat garden or allotment produce that has been in contact with flood water.
• Any areas showing signs of mould should be treated with a fungicidal solution
  

Useful contacts

Council's Contact Centre 0845 8 506 506  ask for Environmental Health
NHS Direct  0845 5657

Health Protection Agency
www.hpa.org.uk