Recovering after the flood – clean-up for householders

• Use protective clothing including rubber boots and waterproof gloves. To protect your eyes use a facemask or goggles if you are scrubbing, hosing or pressure-washing.
• Cover any open cuts, scratches, grazes and wounds with waterproof dressings (bandages).
• Be careful with any electrical or gas equipment or lines. Do not switch on electrical or gas equipment until it has been checked by a licensed electrician or gas fitter.
• Keep children and pets away from the flooded building until it has been cleaned and made safe.
• Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after each clean-up session and always before eating or making food.
• Take your time. Do not overdo it when cleaning up. You will be under enough stress and strain from the flooding – your health is critical. Take frequent breaks. Stay warm when it is cold and be careful not to overheat when it is hot.
• Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids.
• As you clean up, take photographs or make a list as you go for your insurance claim.

• Wash mud, dirt and debris from your house with a hose, starting at the highest point and work down to ground level.
• Where possible, remove all wet items such as floor coverings, rugs, mats, furniture, bedding, linen and clothing. If floor coverings are removed, thoroughly clean and dry the floor underneath before new material is laid.
• Be alert to snakes, spiders and rats that may have taken refuge in your home.
• Begin drying out the house as soon as floodwaters recede (drop) by:
  • opening doors and windows during dry days
  • using fans (note the warning below)
  • draining water away from under the house to increase airflow
  • checking for trapped water and mud in wall or floor cavities.
• Each area affected by floodwater within the house needs to be cleaned, including refrigerators and cupboards (these should be emptied first).

Mould or mildew may develop if items are not completely dried. Mould or mildew may be removed with a solution of 70 per cent vinegar and 30 per cent water.

However, the strength of the product may ruin some household items. Wear a mask when working with heavy mould.

Warning

Do not use petrol or diesel-powered equipment, such as generators or pumps, in enclosed spaces. Fumes from such equipment can be a health hazard.

Keep extension cords out of water.

Hard surfaces

These include floors, walls, benches, sinks, cutlery and crockery.

Thoroughly clean with hot soapy water and disinfect by wiping or spraying surfaces with a chlorine bleach solution (see instructions below) or a product labelled as a disinfectant. Once disinfected, allow to dry.

Linen, blankets and clothing

These should be washed in hot water (if care instructions allow) or dry-cleaned.

Mattresses

Inner spring mattresses are difficult to treat and may need to be thrown away.

Foam rubber mattresses may be thoroughly washed with a garden hose. A detergent solution should then be squeezed through the mattress before it is allowed to dry.

Furniture

Other types of mattresses, pillows or furniture, such as lounge chairs, may be air dried in the sun then sprayed thoroughly with a disinfectant solution. Consult a local furniture renovating company if you are unsure about their condition.

Food

Throw away any food in your freezer or fridge, any boxed foods, fresh vegetables and fruit. Tins and bottles may still be used providing they are not damaged and they are sealed. Thoroughly clean with hot soapy water and disinfect by wiping or spraying surfaces with a chlorine bleach solution before opening.

Medicines, cosmetics and toiletries

If there is any water damage to the packaging throw it away. Speak to your chemist if you are not sure.

Children's toys

Soft toys or moulded toys with air injection holes should be thrown away. Solid toys can be washed and then disinfected.

How to make disinfectant

To make up a 10 L bucket (standard size) of disinfectant, fill the bucket with water and then add only 1 of the following:

• 50 ml (around a quarter of a cup) of household bleach
• 8 to 16 ml (dessert spoon) of liquid pool chlorine.

A flood or cyclone may bring dirty water, mud and silt into your:

• home
• backyard
• street
• parks
• local playgrounds.

Water, mud and silt can contain a range of bacteria and viruses that can make you or your family sick.

Illnesses may include:

• diarrhoea
• gastroenteritis
• skin infections
• soft tissue infections.

Floodwaters can also make surfaces such footpaths, roads and floors very slippery. Fall injuries are not unusual in flood clean-ups.

Hazards also can occur when cyclonic winds lift a range of materials and debris such as:

• fences
• roofs
• electricity wires
• cars.

It is important that you take proper precautions to prevent illness and injury:

• Always wear protective clothing, such as boots, gloves and a face mask when cleaning.
• Do not expose broken skin or cuts to dirty water, mud or silt.
• Do not use petrol or diesel-powered equipment, such as generators or pumps, in enclosed spaces
• Be alert to snakes, spiders and rats that may have taken refuge in your home.
• Make sure your immunisations, especially tetanus, are up-to-date.
• Always wash your hands and any part of your body that has been exposed to dirty water, mud or silt, especially before eating or preparing food.
• Wear a mask when working with heavy mould.
• Never touch electric wires, even if you think they are not live.

You need to seek medical attention if you do become ill or injure yourself, particularly if any cut becomes painful and red and if you develop a fever.

In all situations where a sewage overflow (also referred to as wastewater overflow) clean up procedure is needed for your property, persons involved in the clean-up procedure should wear personal protective clothing such as rubber boots, rubber gloves and washable or disposable coveralls.

Unprotected persons should be evacuated from the affected area until the area has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Other safety precautions to be followed include:

• Assume anything touched by wastewater is contaminated.
• Wash your hands and affected areas of the body thoroughly with clean warm water and soap, especially before eating or smoking.
• Immediately wash and disinfect any wounds that come into contact with wastewater.
• Change out of dirty clothes and wash clothes separately.
• Clean and dry dirty footwear.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any illness.

Read more about domestic wastewater overflows.