Acting Health Commissioner Fern P. Clarke urges residents to avoid health risks after a storm or hurricane. Residents should follow the following safety tips that recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to a press release issued Monday by the Department of Health.
Food Safety: Preventing food-borne diseases
- Individuals should not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood or storm water. Throw away food that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
- Commercially prepared cans of food should not be eaten if there is a bulging or opening on the can or the screw caps, soda bottle tops or twist-caps.
- Undamaged, commercially canned foods can be saved if you remove the labels and then disinfect the cans in a bleach solution. Use 1/4 cup of bleach in one gallon of water; re-label the cans including expiration date and type of food. Assume that home-canned food is unsafe.
- Infants should be fed only pre-mixed canned baby formula. Do not use powdered formulas prepared with treated water. Use boiled water when preparing formula.
- Frozen and refrigerated foods can be unsafe after a hurricane. When the power is out, refrigerators will keep foods cool for only about four hours. Thawed and frozen foods should be thrown out after such time.
Sanitation and Hygiene: Preventing Waterborne Illness
- Basic hygiene is very important during an emergency period. Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected before eating, after toilet use, after participating in cleanup activities and after handling articles contaminated by floodwater or sewage.
- Flooding that occurs after a hurricane may mean that water contains fecal matter from sewage systems, agricultural and industrial waster and septic tanks. If you have open cuts or sore exposed to the floodwater, keep them as clean as possible by washing them with soap and disinfected or boiled water. Apply antibiotic ointment to reduce the risk of infection. If a wound or sore develops redness, swelling or drainage, see a doctor.
- Do not allow children to play in floodwater or play with toys that have been in floodwater until the toys have been disinfected. Use 1/4 cup of bleach in one gallon of water to disinfect toys and other items.
Clearing Standing Water: Prevent Mosquito-borne illness such as Dengue Fever
- Heavy rains and flooding can lead to an increase in mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are most active at sunrise and sunset. The Department of Health’s Environmental Health Division will be working actively to control the spread of any diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.
- To protect against mosquitoes, remember to utilize the 5 D’s:
—Dusk and Dawn – Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are seeking blood.
–Dress – Wear clothing that covers most of your skin.
DEET – When the potential exists for exposure to mosquitoes, repellants containing DEET are recommended. Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before applying a repellant to skin. Some repellent is not suitable for children. According to the CDC, DEET is not recommended on children younger than 2 months old. If possible, use mosquito netting over infants.
–Drainage – Check around homes to rid the area of standing water, which is where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
- Eliminating mosquito breeding sites is one of the keys to preventing Dengue Fever and residents should:
–Clean out eaves, troughs and gutters;
–Remove old tires or drill holes to drain those used around the yard and playgrounds;
–Turn over or remove empty plastic pots;
–Pick up all beverage containers and cups;
–Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect water;
–Pump out bilges on boats;
–Replace water in birdbaths and pet or other animal feeding dishes at least once a week
–Change water in plant trays, including hanging plants, at least once a week
–Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that prevent the flow of water.