Flood contamination risks

Electrical hazards

Areas that were flooded may contain electrical or fire hazards connected with downed power lines. Take the following precautions:

• Turn off power at the mains
  If water has been present anywhere near electrical circuits and electrical equipment, turn off the power at the mains.
• Don't step on wet ground
  Never enter flooded areas or touch electrical equipment if the ground is wet, unless you're certain that the power supply is off.
• Call in an electrician
  Do not turn on the power supply until a qualified electrician has inspected the area, made repairs (if necessary) and declared the area safe.

Sewage and waste contamination

Flooding can cause the disruption of water purification and sewage disposal systems, as well as the overflowing of toxic waste sites.

As best practice it's best to assume that any flood water that's affected your property and possessions contained sewage. So always wear protective clothing and follow strict personal hygiene when coming into contact with affected areas.

When an area has been contaminated by sewage, harmful microbes that can cause illness may be present. These kinds of infectious organisms include intestinal bacteria such as:

• E.Coli
• Salmonella
• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Tetanus

The bacteria generally present in sewage is likely to be diluted, so won't be highly infectious. But there is always some risk of gastroenteritis if flood water is swallowed. Anyone who develops diarrhoea and/or vomiting after coming into contact with flood water or sewage should seek medical advice.

Chemical contamination

Flooding can cause a number of problems, like:

• Water purification and sewage disposal systems disruption
• Toxic waste site overflow
• Spillage of chemicals previously stored above ground

Each of these can potentially be hazardous to your health. So once the water is gone and you return to your house, you need to guard against exposure to contaminants by wearing protective clothing.

While different chemicals cause different health effects, the signs and symptoms most frequently associated with chemical poisoning are:

• Headaches
• Skin rashes
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Excitability
• Weakness
• Fatigue

Any chemical dangers, such as a propane tank, should be handled by the fire department or police. See emergency contacts for details.

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