Post Rain Instruction

Promoting Health and Safety Post-Rainfall

After rainfall, it’s essential to protect your health due to potential environmental risks. Below are post-rainfall health and safety instructions:

Flood Water

• Avoid contact with flood water, as it may contain hazardous substances like:
• Physical objects (wood, steel, glass).
• Chemical, biological, or radioactive waste.
• Human and animal waste.
• Illness-causing organisms, rodents, or snakes.
• Copper sulfate.
• Exposure risks include gastrointestinal illness, rashes, wound infections, and tetanus.

Post-rainfall Health Instructions

• Stay Indoors:
• Avoid flooded areas unless necessary. Find fun and engaging indoor activities to stay active and entertained
• Follow Authorities:
• Adhere to local instructions and warnings.
• Avoid Stagnant Water:
• Prevent mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria.
• Electrical Safety:
• Avoid contact with electrical equipment or power lines if you are near standing water, as this can be extremely dangerous.

Hygiene and Allergens

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap after outdoor activities.
• Use mosquito repellent and wear protective clothing.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and utensils exposed to floodwater.
• For those with allergies, consider wearing a mask and taking antihistamines.

Slippery Surfaces

• Walk carefully on wet surfaces to prevent accidents.

Food and Water Safety

• Use only safe water sources for drinking and food preparation.
• Methods to purify water:
• Boiling: Boil for 1 minute, cool, and store in clean containers.
• Bleach Disinfection: Add bleach (depending on concentration) and let it stand for 30 minutes before use.
• Discard food exposed to flood water unless in waterproof containers.

Foodborne Illness Symptoms

Consuming dangerous foodborne bacteria will usually cause illness within 1 to 3 days of eating the contaminated food. However, sickness can also occur within 20 minutes or up to 6 weeks later

Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, flu symptoms, fever, or headache.