Tamika Small, Contributor

When returning to your home after a hurricane, flood, or other natural disaster, protect yourself and your family by following these tips:

Re-entering Buildings

Stay away from damaged buildings or structures until they have been examined and certified as safe by the relevant government authority. You may want to wait to return to buildings during daylight hours when it is easier to avoid hazards, particularly if the electricity is off and you have no lights.

Leave immediately if you hear shifting or unusual noises that signal that the structure may fall or if you smell gas or suspect a leak. If you smell gas, notify emergency authorities and do not turn on the lights, light matches, smoke, or do anything that could cause a spark. Do not return to the house until you are told it is safe to do so.

Keep children and pets out of the affected area until clean-up has been completed.

Mould and Clean-up

Remove and discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected (such as mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture and cosmetics.

Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces (such as flooring, concrete, moulding, wood and metal furniture, countertops and other plumbing fixtures) with hot water and laundry or dish detergent.

Hygiene, Infectious Disease Issues

After completing the clean-up, wash with soap and water. If there is a boil-water advisory in effect, use water that has been boiled for one minute (allow the water to cool before washing). Or you may use water that has been disinfected for personal hygiene use (solution of 1/8 teaspoon of household bleach per gallon of water). Let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy, use a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of household bleach per gallon of water.

If you have any open cuts or sores that were exposed to floodwater, wash them with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment to discourage infection.

Phone Executive Housekeeping & Laundry at: 292-1590 or e-mail: executive.housekeeping@yahoo.com or at: www.executive-housekeeping.com