Some DO's and DONT'S about flooding

How to safely clean affected areas due to flooding:

•Do not wade into standing water in your basement unless you are sure the electricity to your home is off.

•Unless you are certain basement flood waters came from around the foundation or from window wells, you should assume it contains sewage.

•Minimize skin exposure by wearing rubber boots and gloves and keep children and pets away from flood contaminated surfaces.

•As soon as the water is drained away, all wet items should be cleaned and thoroughly dried within 48 hours of flooding to prevent the growth of mold.

•When cleaning, items should first be washed with soap and water to remove visible debris and dirt. A disinfecting solution of one-half to three quarters cup of household bleach to one gallon of water should then be applied to the surface and allowed to air dry.

•Promptly fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls or plumbing to eliminate moisture that could promote mold growth.

•Discard wet carpet, rugs and upholstery that cannot be easily cleaned to prevent mold growth.

•Keep the humidity level in your home between 40 and 60 percent to prevent mold growth.