DISINFECTING AFTER THE FLOOD WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ Flood waters often contain very high levels of bacteria, which is why disinfecting surfaces that have come in contact with flood waters is so important. The Clorox Company offers the following information from its disinfecting experts. Disinfecting Contaminated Surfaces Disinfect hard surfaces -- floors, walls and counters -- that may have been contaminated by flood waters. Use this same solution for dishes, glass, and plasticware. Disinfection Guidelines: Remove loose dirt and debris from surfaces; Wash down area with a solution of 3/4 cup Clorox liquid bleach per gallon of water; Keep wet for 2 minutes and rinse. Clorox household liquid bleach is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a disinfectant that kills common bacteria. In the Bathroom To reduce odors that may result from sewage backup: Flush toilet; pour 1 cup Clorox liquid bleach into the the bowl; Brush entire bowl and let solution stand for 10 minutes; flush again Bleach eliminates odors and kills germs. Clothing Washable, colorfast clothing and linens should be washed as soon as possible to prevent mold and mildew and to disinfect laundry. Exterior Cleanup Excessive mold and mildew growth is common after flooding. To remove mold and mildew from washable and colorfast exterior surfaces that may have been saturated by flood waters, follow these directions: Outdoor Cleaning instructions Remove loose dirt and debris from affected surface with a power hose; Keep surface wet with a solution of 3/4 cup Clorox liquid bleach per gallon of water for 5-15 minutes; Rinse thoroughly with power hose to remove any residue, Children's toys, play equipment and outdoor furniture in contact with flood waters also should be disinfected before use. Food Handling Be sure to dispose of any food items that may have come in contact with flood waters, even canned goods. Household liquid bleach is a safe, inexpensive and effective product that can be used in a variety of areas around the home to clean up after flood contamination. And used according to label directions, Clorox liquid bleach is safe for the environment, breaking down primarily into salt and water. For more information contact Sandy Sullivan at 510-271-7732, or Melanie Miller at 202-638-1200, both for Clorox. You may also write to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), P.O. Box 70274, Washington, DC 20024 and request a copy of "Your Family Disaster Plan" and "Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit." Your local American Red Cross chapter also has disaster preparedness information available. 12/6/95 Helping Children Cope with Disaster Earthquakes...Tornadoes...Fires...Floods...Hurricanes...Hazardous Materials Spills Disaster may strike quickly and without warning. These events can be frightening for adults, but they are traumatic for children if they don't know what to do. During a disaster, your family may have to leave your home and daily routine. Children may become anxious, confused or frightened. As an adult, you'll need to cope with the disaster in a way that will help children avoid developing a permanent sense of loss. It is important to give children guidance that will help them reduce their fears. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross have prepared this brochure to help you help your children cope. Ultimately, you should decide what's best for your children, but consider using these suggestions as guidelines. Children and Their Response to Disaster Children depend on daily routines: They wake up, eat breakfast, go to school, play with friends. When emergencies or disasters interrupt this routine, children may become anxious. In a disaster, they'll look to you and other adults for help. How you react to an emergency gives them clues on how to act. If you react with alarm, a child may become more scared. They see our fear as proof that the danger is real. If you seem overcome with a sense of loss, a child may feel their losses more strongly. Children's fears also may stem from their imagination, and you should take these feelings seriously. A child who feels afraid is afraid. Your words and actions can provide reassurance. When talking with your child, be sure to present a realistic picture that is both honest and manageable. Feeling or fear are healthy and natural for adults and children. But as an adult, you need to keep control of the situation. When you're sure that danger has passed, concentrate on your child's emotional needs by asking the child what's uppermost in his or her mind. Having children participate in the family's recovery activities will help them feel that their life will return to "normal." Your response during this time may have a lasting impact. Be aware that after a disaster, children are most afraid that the event will happen again. Someone will be injured or killed. They will be separated from the family. They will be left alone. Advice to Parents: Prepare for Disaster You can create a Family Disaster Plan by taking four simple steps. First, learn what hazards exist in your community and how to prepare for each. Then meet with your family to discuss what you would do, as a group, in each situation. Next, take steps to prepare your family for disaster such as: posting emergency phone numbers, selecting an out-of-state family contact, assembling disaster supplies kits for each member of your household and installing smoke detectors on each level of your home. Finally, practice your Family Disaster Plan so that everyone will remember what to do when a disaster does occur. Develop and practice a Family Disaster Plan. Contact your local emergency management or civil defense office, or your local Red Cross chapter for materials that describe how your family can create a disaster plan. Everyone in the household, including children, should play a part in the family's response and recovery efforts. Teach your child how to recognize danger signals. Make sure your child knows what smoke detectors, fire alarms and local community warning systems (horns, sirens) sound like. Explain how to call for help. Teach your child how and when to call for help. Check the telephone directory for local emergency phone numbers and post these phone numbers by all telephones. If you live in a 9-1-1-service area, tell your child to call 9-1-1. Help your child memorize important family information. Children should memorize their family name, address and phone number. They should also know where to meet in case of an emergency. Some children may not be old enough to memorize the information. They could carry a small index card that lists emergency information to give to an adult or babysitter. AFTER THE DISASTER: TIME FOR RECOVERY Immediately after the disaster, try to reduce your child's fear and anxiety. Keep the family together. While you look for housing and assistance, you may want to leave your children with relatives or friends. Instead, keep the family together as much as possible and make children a part of what you are doing to get the family back on its feet. Children get anxious, and they'll worry that their parents won't return. Calmly and firmly explain the situation. As best as you can, tell children what you know about the disaster. Explain what will happen next. For example, say, "Tonight, we will all stay together in the shelter." Get down to the child's eye level and talk to them. Encourage children to talk. Let children talk about the disaster and ask questions as much as they want. Encourage children to describe what they're feeling. Listen to what they say. If possible, include the entire family in the discussion. Include children in recovery activities. Give children chores that are their responsibility. This will help children feel they are part of the recovery. Having a task will help them understand that everything will be all right. You can help children cope by understanding what causes their anxieties and fears. Reassure them with firmness and love. Your children will realize that life will eventually return to normal. If a child does not respond to the above suggestions, seek help from a mental health specialist or a member of the clergy. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Community and Family Preparedness Program developed this brochure in cooperation with the American Red Cross' Community Disaster Education Program. Both are national efforts to help people prepare for disasters of all types. For more information on how to prepare for and respond to disaster, contact your local or State office of emergency management and your local Red Cross chapter. Ask for "Your Family Disaster Plan. Or, write to: FEMA, P.O. Box 70274, Washington, D.C. 20024. DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Being prepared for emergencies can reduce the fear, panic, and inconvenience that surrounds a disaster. Check for hazards in the home. During and right after a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause fire is a home hazard. Check for items such as bookcases, hanging pictures, or overhead lights that could fall in an earthquake or a flood and block an escape path. Be ready to evacuate. Have a plan for getting out of your home or building (ask your family or friends for assistance, if necessary). Also, plan two evacuation routes because some roads may be closed or blocked in a disaster. Have disaster supplies on hand. Flashlight with extra batteries. Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries. First aid kit and manual. Emergency food and water. Nonelectric can opener. ...
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