Grundy County Health Department advises residents to be careful during flooding

Heavy rains in Grundy County have brought about the increased risk of flooding and the potential for sewer back-ups in a number of areas. The Grundy County Health Department recommends the following steps to minimize health hazards due to flooding:
·         Do no attempt to enter or cross flooded streams or rivers. Flood waters can be very powerful. Even streams, rivers, and areas of standing water that appear to be calm or shallow can be very dangerous.
·         Avoid contact with floodwater is possible. Floodwater can contain organisms that may cause disease. Prevent children and pets from playing in or drinking water left in puddles or flooded areas.
·         Wash hands and scrub fingernails thoroughly with soap and safe water, especially before eating or drinking.
·         Do not eat food that has been exposed to flood waters. Thoroughly wash off sealed cans in good condition. Immerse the cans in a bleach disinfecting solution made by mixing two teaspoons of household bleach per gallon of water for at least five minutes. All spoiled foods and leaky or bulged cans should be discarded.
·         Consult the Health Department or your physician about obtaining a tetanus booster if you work in or walk through floodwaters. People with open cuts or other wounds should take extreme care when walking through flood waters due to the possibility of contracting tetanus. In general, flood workers who have had a tetanus shot within the past 10 years will not need to be revaccinated. However, workers who acquire a wound and who have not had a tetanus shot within 5 to 10 years may need a tetanus booster.
·         If you have a private well, check its condition. If the well casing is submerged, surface water may have entered the well and contaminated the drinking water. In these cases, you should not drink or cook with the water until the flood waters have receded and the water from the well is tested and shown to meet safe drinking water standards. Contact Environmental Health Services at (815) 941-3115 for well testing information.
·         Check for safety hazards before entering a flooded home or basement. Make sure that no electrical or other safety hazards, such as leaking gas, exist.
·         Scrub basement and other areas that have been flooded with a household detergent solution. Use a solution of one-quarter cup of household bleach in a gallon of water, then flush the washed areas with safe water.
·         Scrub furniture, walls, fixtures, and appliances with soap and safe water.
·         Machine wash affected clothing, bedding and cloth toys.
·         Sanitize non-porous childrens toys by first washing them with soap and safe water, then soaking them for at least one minute in a solution of on tablespoon of bleach to a gallon of water. Do not rinse objects after soaking; allow to air dry.
Do not hesitate to ask any questions if you have any doubts about the safety of any food, water or conditions around your home. Call Environmental Health Services of the Grundy County Health Department at (815) 941-3115. You can access an up to date listing of current road closures and traffic information on the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency’s Mobile App available for download on android and iPhone by searching Grundy County EMA.
Also access updates on Facebook by following Grundy County Emergency Management Agency.