If you return home after a flood , you should not assume that your home is safe, say public health experts.
Communities in British Columbia and New Brunswick have experienced severe floods over the last two weeks and some residents have returned to their homes. But cleaning the house can be dangerous to your health.
READ MORE: New Floods in Colombia on Monday - Residents are preparing for more flooding this week
This is what public health organizations say they need to do to protect themselves.
Contaminated water
Unfortunately, the tide is not just water. "The flood itself can be contaminated by many things," Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer of British Columbia.
"It may be sewage, so there could be the risk of diarrhea. There are also some chemicals in the water, so you really want to avoid flooding as much as possible, and do not allow children or pets to play in the areas of flooding
The regions of BC are preparing for the second tidal wave
Dr. Jennifer Russell, medical director for health at New Brunswick, said residents should wear boots, rubber boots and rubber gloves when they touch the flood.
He added that "one must wash hands before eating or touching the face and eyes, because bacteria and diseases can be seen E. coli and salmonella and fecal-oral contamination. That is actually the reason to wash their hands, because that could end in the food and eat it like that.
READ MORE: Expensive and exhausting cleaning begins in New Brunswick
Henry said that the public health agencies sometimes see an increase in diarrhea and maintain clean hands after touching the water or touching things that may have been in the water to prevent this.
drinking water
Drinking water can also be a source of pollution and disease. Henry and Russell recommend that you check with the local authorities for information on boiling water in municipal water supply systems.
If you have good water, you need to test the water in your well before you drink it. New Brunswick says that if the flood water goes far beyond its potential, it is potentially contaminated and must wait 10 days before undergoing test water.
Mold
Another big risk when you go home is mold.
"Within 24 to 48 hours after the water has been extracted, it's your chance to clean things that can be drained," Russell said.
"Things that are soft, like mattresses or insulators, can not really be saved, so everything has to be thrown away."
READ MORE: Cleaning after a flood? The NB government has these tips to help
You should cleanse your things with a diluted bleach solution with a part bleach water to disinfect 10 parts, recommends Emergency Management BC. Henry also suggests opening the windows and turning on the fans if you can dry everything as fast as possible.
These first 48 hours are critical, Russell said.
"After that, the mold begins to grow and the associated health problems are problematic."
These may include sneezing eyes, cough and phlegm or skin reactions. People with underlying allergies and respiratory problems may find that mold aggravates their problems.
Other dangers
Before you enter your home, make sure it's safe to turn on your electricity and gas, Henry said. Your service provider can inform you.
In addition, if you lose energy in your home, you should throw the food in your refrigerator and freezer because it is probably not safe to eat, he said.
Mental health
Being evacuated from home is stressful, Russell said, and it's important to pay attention to his mental and physical health.
"There is a lot of uncertainty and disruption in people's lives," he said. She recommends sleeping well, eating well, and doing sports during this stressful time. A regular routine can help, especially children, he said.
New Brunswick urges people to call their health line at 811 for extra advice.
Emergency Management BC provides a comprehensive list of post-flood cleanup tips on its website, as does the New Brunswick government .
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