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Flood water can contaminate private wells. No public agency monitors the water quality inside these wells. That’s the responsibility of the owner. Don’t use water from a flooded well for any purpose until you’ve talked with the proper health authorities. Don’t turn on the pump and don’t flush the well. You should have the well disinfected by a well contractor. Afterward, have the water sampled and tested to make sure it’s safe. Just because it looks and smells safe, doesn’t mean it actually is. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Emergency Disfection of Drinking Water. Use only water that has been properly disinfected for drinking, cooking, making any prepared drink or for brushing teeth. Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters if it is available. If you don’t have bottled water, you should boil water to make it safe. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for boiling. Boil the water for one minute, let it cool, and store it in clean containers with covers. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Call the Poison Control Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222 if you think someone may be poisoned, or if you have questions about poisons. You will speak to a specially trained nurse, doctor or other medical professional. They can also give you advice on poison prevention and how to poison-proof your home. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Following a disaster, EPA conducts household hazardous materials collections. EPA will collect batteries, paint and workshop supplies, cleaning and pool supplies, lawn and garden products, indoor pesticides and thermometers, automotive products and other hazardous chemicals. EPA cannot accept animal remains, human and other biological waste, needles, spoiled food, mold damaged items, tires, furniture or other general trash. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Cleaning homes and businesses after a disaster can pose significant health and environmental challenges. People may be exposed to potentially life-threatening hazards from leaking gas lines, and carbon monoxide poisoning from indoor use of unvented fuel-burning equipment. During flood cleanup, remove contaminated materials and reduce moisture and humidity to help prevent long-term health risks from bacteria, mold and other microorganisms. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Leftover household products containing corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients are considered household hazardous waste. Do not dispose of products like paints, cleaners, oils, batteries and pesticides by pouring them down the drain, onto the ground, into storm sewers, or, in some cases, putting them out with the trash. These disposal methods can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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If you’re cleaning up after the flood, you’ll need to use cleaners, disinfectants and pesticides. But you need to be careful. Mixing certain types of household cleaners and disinfectants — such as bleach and ammonia — can produce toxic fumes and cause injury or even death. Do not mix them or use them in combination. Read and follow all label instructions carefully. Provide fresh air by opening windows and doors. Don’t stay in a room any longer than necessary, and allow plenty of time for the area to air out. If there’s no standing water in the building and it’s safe to use electricity, use fans both during and after disinfecting, cleaning and sanitizing products. Be sure that electrical appliances are properly grounded. Keep all household products locked, out of sight and away from children. Securely close child-resistant packaging after each use. Keep items in original containers. Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately in case of poisoning. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Flood cleanup involves cleaners, disinfectants and pesticides used carefully. Mixing household cleaners and disinfectants, such as bleach and ammonia, can produce dangerous toxic fumes. Open windows and doors. Don’t stay in a room longer than necessary, and allow plenty of time to air out the room. If it’s safe to use electricity, use fans to keep the air circulating. Keep all household products out of sight and away from children. Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately in case of poisoning. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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As with many aspects of dealing with disaster, it’s best to prepare before such an event occurs. You and your family can establish somewhere to meet should you become separated. If you want to let your family and friends know that you are OK following a disaster, you can list yourself on the Red Cross’s "Safe and Well" Internet registry. You can also use this registry to search for others who have been affected by a disaster. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Mold is a serious problem in flooded areas. The key to controlling mold growth is by controlling moisture, and doing it quickly. If you have a mold problem at home, wash it off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Be sure to get rid of the excess water or moisture. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. You may have to replace absorbent materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, that become moldy. For more information about mold cleanup, call 1-800-438-4318. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Avoid problems from mold, bacteria and insects. Standing water is a breeding ground for a wide range of microorganisms and insects such as mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can spread diseases like West Nile Virus. Microorganisms, including bacteria and mold, can become airborne and inhaled. Where floodwater is highly contaminated, infectious disease is also a concern. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Septic systems can be damaged by flooding. After a flood, have the system professionally inspected and serviced. If the system is obstructed, pump it as soon as possible. If sewage has backed up into the basement, clean and disinfect the area with half a cup of chlorine bleach in each gallon of water. Remember, whenever the water table is high or your septic system is threatened by flooding, sewage can back up into your home. The only way to prevent it is to use the system less and make sure the tank is watertight. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Plan ahead to protect your pets during a disaster. Since Red Cross and other public family shelters cannot accept pets, make arrangements to drop them off somewhere safe in case you have to evacuate your home. You can assemble a portable pet disaster kit with food and supplies. Act to protect your pet as soon as any warnings of approaching disaster are given. In general, what is best for you and your family during an emergency is best for your pets, too. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Smoke from fires can be just as dangerous as the flames themselves. Pay attention to local air quality reports and stay alert for health warnings related to smoke. If it looks smoky outside, avoid physical activity outdoors and don’t let your children play outside. Keep your indoor air as clean as possible by keeping windows and doors closed. Run your air conditioner with the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean. If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying inside with windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather so you should seek alternate shelter. Avoid burning things like candles or fireplaces inside. If you have a lung or heart disease, are an older adult, or have children, talk with your doctor about whether and when you should leave the area. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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If you use a generator after a disaster, put it outside or carefully vent the exhaust outside. The exhaust contains dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that is odorless and colorless. At very low exposure levels carbon monoxide can cause flu-like symptoms in many people, but because it is so difficult to detect it could kill you before you know you’ve been exposed. Whether a disaster has occurred or not, always make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas. It can kill you. Don’t use anything indoors that burns fuel, such as gasoline-powered generators, camp stoves and lanterns, or charcoal grills. Opening doors and windows or using fans won’t prevent a buildup of carbon monoxide. Have your vents and chimneys checked to make sure water heater and gas furnace exhausts aren’t blocked. If you feel sick, dizzy or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air right away. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Children are at greater risk than adults from contaminants carried by flood water. Since they dehydrate faster, they need to drink plenty of fluids. If the safety of your water is in question, either use bottled water or bring tap water to a rolling boil for at least one minute, and let it cool before use. You should also keep children away from mud and make sure they don’t play with anything that may have become polluted by flood water or sludge. If you have questions about your tap water, you should give your child sponge baths using bottled or boiled water. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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It’s important to follow instructions of local authorities during a shelter-in-place warning. If you are at home, close and lock all windows and exterior doors, close window dressings, and turn off fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Get your disaster supplies kit and your pets, and go to an above ground-level, interior room without windows. Use duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal cracks and vents, and listen to your radio or TV until the all-clear is given or you are told to evacuate. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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It’s important to follow instructions of local authorities during a shelter-in-place warning. If you are in a vehicle, go inside to seek shelter if you are very close to a public building, your home or office. If you cannot go inside, stop your vehicle in the safest place possible. Turn off the engine, close windows and vents, seal vents with duct tape if possible, listen to the radio and stay where you are until you hear further instructions. Follow directions of law enforcement officials. This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.