Red Cross responds to flooding across state

STAY SAFE WHILE CLEANING UP AFTER THE FLOOD

CEDAR FALLS, Wednesday, June 11, 2008 — Residents of Northern Iowa are returning to their homes and beginning to clean up after this weekend’s severe flooding. Cleaning up after the flood can pose some health risks and the American Red Cross is offering some tips and guidance for dealing with the health hazards.

CLEANING AND DRYING OUT YOUR HOME

1.      Open your doors and windows. Let your home air out for at least 30 minutes, before you stay inside for any length of time. Use fans to dry out your home.

2.      Remove all items that have been wet for more than 48 hours and that cannot be cleaned and dried thoroughly.

3.      Examples of absorbent items that cannot be cleaned are: carpets and carpet padding, upholstery, wall paper, dry wall, floor and ceiling tiles, insulation material, clothing, leather, paper, books, wood and food.

4.      To remove mold from hard surfaces, mix one cup of bleach in one gallon of water and wash with the mixture. Use a stiff brush to scrub rough surfaces and rinse with clean water. Dry the item or leave it out to air dry.

5.      To prevent mold growth, clean all wet items and surfaces with detergent and water and fix any water problems such as leaks in roofs, walls or plumbing.

6.      Turning on air conditioners or heaters can spread mold spores and make the problems worse. Clean these before use.

7.      If you wish to disinfect your home, refer to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) brochure, “A Brief Guide to Mold and Moisture in Your Home (http://www.epa.gov/mold).”

Flood water may be contaminated by waste from overflowing sewage systems as well as toxic waste from cars and industrial plants. Do not eat or drink anything that has been contaminated by flood water.

·         If an open cut or wound is in contact with flood water, clean it with soap and water and use an antibacterial ointment to lower your risk of infection.

·        Wash dishes, linens and clothes contaminated by flood water in hot water and detergent. Run the washing machine or dishwasher through one full hot water cycle using a disinfectant or sanitizer before you wash clothes or dishes.

·         Do not allow children to play in places or with toys that have been in contact with flood water. Disinfect contaminated toys by cleaning them with a cleaning mixture with one cup of bleach to five gallons of water.

HEALTH EFFECTS OF MOLD EXPOSURE

·         Stuffy nose, sneezing, red eyes and skin rash.

·         Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath.

·         Allergic reactions to mold including asthma attacks.

·         People with weakened immune systems or chronic lung diseases may develop mold infections in  

       their lungs.

For more information on how the Red Cross is responding to the Central United States floods and tornadoes, visit our blog at http://redcrossmidwestflooding.wordpress.com/.

 All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of flooding and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

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