Take Precautions when Cleaning Up After Devastating Storms

Picking up the pieces after a storm can be hazardous to your health if you don’t take some precautions. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System offers these safety tips when cleaning your home:

• Assume that splinters of glass are everywhere. Always wear shoes with heavy soles, even when you walk on carpets.
• Wear protective eye wear, a dust mask, long sleeves and pants, and gloves during cleanup. Wear sturdy rubber gloves for cleaning dishes or scrubbing floors, countertops and other areas.
• Get an updated tetanus shot if your last tetanus was 10 or more years ago because cuts from storm-contaminated materials are dangerous.
• Don’t let small children crawl or play on storm-damaged floors or carpeting.
• Check for glass and other debris in spices, flour, sugar and cereal. Discard canned foods with broken seams.
• Thoroughly wash bedding and clothing to remove fiberglass insulation and other debris.
• Don’t use bath towels or medications until you are sure they don’t contain glass splinters. Furniture, bedding, carpets, rugs and draperies may need to be replaced because they may contain hidden glass splinters.
• Check for glass and wooden splinters inside dresser drawers, cabinets and even within pages of books. (Source: University of Minnesota Extension Service).
Here are some other Extension resources:

Fixing Flood Damage

Flood Recovery: Garden and Farm

Flood Recovery: Home

Flood Recovery: Water

Food and Water Safety When the Power Goes Out

Food Safety: It’s in Your Hands!

A link to the Tornados Issues page on the EDEN Web site provides more resources:
http://www.eden.lsu.edu/Issues_View.aspx?IssueID=a4650889-a881-46db-816a-f44c8db6f374

Posted by dreynold at February 8, 2008 02:57 PM | TrackBack