Was your home damaged in flooding from recent hurricanes?
Floods can introduce new hazards indoors and worsen existing ones. Flood waters can carry sewage and other harmful substances indoors and standing water and wet materials can become a breeding ground for viruses, bacteria, and mold.
Below are tips on how to safely clean up a flooded home and promote safe and healthy indoor air quality following a flood.
Tips for Safe Flood Cleanup
Children, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems or chronic breathing problems like asthma should not help with flood cleanup in Saugus.
- Wear personal protective equipment when you clean up, including goggles (without vent holes), an N-95 respirator, long sleeves, protective gloves, long pants, and boots or work shoes.
- Clean and dry your home and everything in it within 24 to 48 hours, if you can.
- Clean hard surfaces with detergent and water. Do not mix cleaning products together or add bleach to other chemicals.
- While cleaning, ventilate and dry your home by using fans and dehumidifiers and by opening doors and windows, if possible. If you can already see mold, do not use fans because fans may spread the mold.
