Safety and Hygiene

General advice

• If you feel unwell, go immediately to your doctor. Tell him that your home was flooded.
• Any dust from drying out should be continuously vacuumed up.
• It is advisable that young children should not play directly on wooden floorboards, damaged tiled floors and affected grassed or paved areas until they have been thoroughly dried out.
• 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.
• Seek advice from your insurance company about any repair/replacement work you think is necessary.

Food

Affected surfaces that food may come into contact with must be thoroughly disinfected before use.

• If worktops show signs of flood damage do not use them.
• Ensure food storage shelves, including your refrigerator, are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
• Ensure that all crockery, pots and pans are cleaned and washed with very hot water before use. Disinfectant can also be used. Chipped or damaged items should be thrown away.
• Ensure that water taps are cleaned and disinfected before use.
• Wash your hands before preparing food.
• Dispose of ALL food that has come into contact with flood water. This includes tins as they may be contaminated with sewage or chemicals left from the flood water.
• Do not refreeze food which has been thawed out. Throw away any defrosted food.
• Remember - for insurance purposes, keep a list of all food that you throw away.

Water

Most public water supplies will not be affected by flooding (mains). People with private water supplies are more at risk as such supplies are more easily affected by flooding. If you have a private water supply and you are worried that it may have been affected by the flooding, you should boil your water until you have had your water tested and are sure that it is safe.

If you think your drinking water may have become contaminated:

• Ensure the water taps are cleaned and disinfected before using them for the first time.

• Remember waterwater from the hot tap is not suitable for drinking.

• Use boiled water to wash food which is eaten raw. It is safe to use unboiled tap water in the preparation of food which is to be cooked. It is safe to use unboiled tap water for cooking if it will be boiled during the cooking process.

• Boiling water kills pathogenic bacteria, viruses and parasites that may be present in water. Bring the water to the boil and then allow it to cool before drinking.

For advice regarding

• Public (Mains) supplies contact:

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (External Link) 0800 085 3968

United Utilities (External Link) 0845 6020406

• Private supplies contact:

The council Environmental Protection and Management Team on 01244 402310 (working hours) or 01244 324324 (out of hours).

 

Commercial Premises

• Only safe high quality water should be used for dental surgery
• Caterers should seek detailed advice from the Food Safety team on 01244 402302 (working hours) or 01244 324324 (out of hours).

Please note that before disposing of any goods or equipment remember to contact your insurance company for advice.