WHEELING-OHIO COUNTY HEALTH DEPAARTMENT OFFICIALS OFFER ADVICE FOR SAFE FLOOD CLEAN-UP

While raging flood waters have left behind a mass of destruction across West Virginia, also left behind are disease-producing bacteria. As residents in the affected area begin the task of cleaning up homes and salvaging personal belongings, state health officials offer some precautions to help prevent illness.

When cleaning up your home, be sure to wear protective clothing such as rubber boots, gloves and eye protection. Keep your hands away from your mouth and face after handling any materials that have been contaminated by flood water and immediately clean, disinfect and bandage all wounds no matter how small. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water (preferably hot water) before preparing meals, eating or smoking.

All floors, walls and ceilings should be hosed down with clean water and scrubbed with a brush or broom using a solution of detergent and hot water if possible. After scrubbing, use a brush or broom to apply a disinfecting solution made from four tablespoons of laundry bleach per one gallon of clean water.

Most clothing and furniture can be salvaged if it can be cleaned and disinfected. Commercial cleaning of rugs, draperies and clothing is recommended, if possible.

Items cleaned at home should be washed in hot, soapy water, rinsed in clean water and dried in an automatic clothes drier or in open air and sunshine, where possible. Special care should be given to children’s beds, cribs, toys, playpens and playthings. Stuffed toys should be discarded since they cannot be easily cleaned and disinfected.

Furniture made of wood, metal or plastic can usually be salvaged. These items should be cleaned with soap and hot water and allowed to air dry in open air and sunlight. Mattresses and stuffed furniture should be discarded because they cannot be easily cleaned and disinfected.

Dishes, plates, bowls, pots, pans and other utensils should be washed in hot, soapy water, then rinsed with clean water and disinfected by submerging for at least one minute in a solution of one tablespoon of bleach per one gallon of clean water. Appliances such as refrigerators and stoves which contain insulation are not easily cleaned or disinfected. These items should be examined carefully and discarded if the insulation has been contaminated. If they are salvaged, be sure that the electrical appliances are dry and in good mechanical condition before using.

For additional help on flood clean-up activities, call your the health department, at (304) 234-3682.