Basement Flooding Tips
If you’re dealing with a flooded basement, yard, or roads, taking precautions is essential to your safety. Here are some Red Cross tips to stay safe:
— Don’t turn on lights, appliances or other electrical equipment until an electrician has given the okay.
— Don’t touch anything that is plugged in if you are standing in water.
— Do wear protective clothing like rubber gloves and boots during clean up to protect from contamination.
— Do wear rubber boots if you are operating electrical equipment like a wet-dry vacuum in standing water. Don’t use gasoline-powered equipment, like generators, pressure washers or pumps, in an enclosed or partially enclosed structure, where dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide could cause poisoning.
— If the water is covering electrical outlets, turn off the circuit breakers at the main electrical box.
— Don’t let children play in flood water. This water can be contaminated with sewage or chemicals and is a health hazard.
For more information on flood safety and preparedness please click here.