Floods - Healthcare
Among the causes of human action, floods occur before the uncontrolled growth of cities, to the inadequate and poor maintenance of storm drainage system, filling and occupation of coastal areas that hinder even more drainage, among others.
Prepare to raise those furniture, appliances, mattresses or clothing that may be affected by water.
Pick up litter, debris, branches and leaves his house and street to avoid during a storm, flood or heavy rains, drains and other water escape routes from your home clogged.
If possible, seal leaks possible that you already know with some waterproof material.
Make sure all family members know how to cut water services, electricity and gas.
If there declared ALERT: Stay informed of warning notices, instructions disseminate forecasts or municipal or provincial authorities through the media. Further:
Prepare a waterproof bag containing essential items for family use (warm clothing, rain boots, stockings, a small portable radio, etc.) and count with first aid kit with essential medicines for family members.
Have a supply of drinking water and nonperishable food. Store food in high places to prevent water from the scope and ruin.
Prevent children, the elderly or illness or disabilities are home alone.
Cutting water services, electricity and gas.
Identify the high places of the area as well as temporary shelters and routes to reach them.
You should try to stay away from rivers and streams already see overwhelmed or are at risk of overflowing.
Please get phone Fire, Civil Defense, Red Cross and Hospitals.
Recommendations during the event
In enclosed spaces (home, work, other): Evacuate area and position yourself in critical areas or high roof or upper floor of the house. If there is no possibility to access higher ground in the home, do not risk and evacuated to a temporary shelter.
For health care in public: stay away from low areas or flood-prone areas and walk up and free of water. Otherwise, wait for lower the water level to mobilize. Never attempt to walk across a stream of water that exceeds its knees. It is important to prevent electrocutions, so stay away from power lines, poles or downed power lines.
For health care at school: if evaluation in school (or work), do it in an orderly manner. Always follow directives of those designated to coordinate emergency situations.
Care when driving: do not drive the car through a flooded area or try out once the water is already at a high level. If a power line falls on your car while you are driving, stay inside the vehicle and continue to drive away the cable. If the engine stops, turn off your car by turning the ignition key and off.
Warn others not to touch the vehicle and call your local power company and emergency services.
Water care: potabilice water, boiling for three minutes or by placing two drops of bleach per liter of water and let stand for 30 minutes before use.
Recommendations on vaccination against floods - download
Recommendations after the event
Care for the return home had to be evacuated if: check if the house is ready to be inhabited again. To prevent electrical accidents, try to go home to daylight for not using electricity. From the first entry into the housing, it is desirable that the electricity and gas are turned off to avoid fire, electrocution or explosions. Also, make sure that facilities, all electrical equipment and appliances are completely dry before putting them to work.
Household hygiene and disinfection: After the flood, make sure you dry and well ventilated rooms. Clean and disinfect with bleach walls, floors and other household surfaces such as countertops, cabinets, refrigerator, children's toys, etc. Use a cup of bleach (about the size of a cup of coffee) every 10 liters of water (1 bucket).
Upholstered furniture spray some disinfectant and let dry in the sun.
Wash with hot water and detergent all clothes worn during the cleanup. These clothes should be washed separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens. Wash with hot water and detergent clothing that has been in contact with contaminated water or flood.
After completing the cleanup, wash your hands with soap and safe water.
What to do with food and water: if water supply is affected by the effects of the flood, or take mineral water from a safe source. You can also become safe water that comes from other sources (well, network, etc.).
Place 2 drops of bleach per liter of water, and let stand 30 minutes before using. You can also boil for 3 minutes and wait for it to cool to consume.
Reinforce basic hygiene habits. Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled, disinfected or known to be safe: before preparing food; after going to the bathroom; after performing cleaning activities at home; after touching things around the house that have been hit by flood water or sewage.
Check out all food that has been in your home and remove those whose containers have been badly damaged by water. Throw away food that have lost the cold chain due to cuts in electricity supply.
It is important that baby bottles and pacifiers replace baby. If you are breastfeeding your child, keep doing it. Breast milk helps build defenses in children. Wash new safe water bottles.
Also wash fruits and vegetables with safe water.
In order to reuse them, wash the glasses, dishes and other kitchen items with plenty of detergent and, if possible, rub all over with a brush to avoid waste. Discard wooden utensils and plastic. To disinfect metal pots and utensils, boil them for 10 minutes.
If there is any particular health risk: it is important to be aware of snakebites and contact with other vermin. Snakes usually appear during floods when transported by aquatic vegetation. If you can not get away in time, refrain from sudden movements. Do not touch in any way a snake.
By Suradiwat