SURVIVING DURING A FLOOD: DOS AND DON’TS! DO: • DO keep your emergency kit with you, safe and dry • DO watch out for your children at all times AND DO NOT allow them to swim or play in flood water – this is hazardous and puts them at risk of injury, infection and disease – keep them dry and away from the water as far as possible • DO take care of elderly people – do not allow their feet to remain submerged in water / keep them dry as far as possible • DO take particular care of people with special needs such as restricted mobility, eyesight difficulties or hearing difficulties – they may need assistance in responding to emergency warnings and you should plan for this • DO take note of the health of your family and community members: CONTACT EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE IMMEDIATELY IF: • Someone has a wound which has come into contact with flood water • Someone has a wound which is slow to heal • Someone contracts diarrhea and / or sickness – especially urgent if this is a child or elderly person • Someone is suffering from heat / cold / lack or food or water • Someone has lost vital medical prescriptions • Someone contracts fever / has a raised temperature • Someone is suffering skin conditions due to long submersion in water • Someone has ingested flood water • Someone is pregnant / nursing mother • Someone has come into contact with contaminates, chemicals, sewage etc DO stay together with family members and neighbors to ensure their safety DO inform police or local authorities of your needs DO evacuate to higher ground where possible DO abandon your vehicle if it stalls in flood water, and climb to higher ground immediately DO listen to local announcements over loudhailer / public broadcast, radio or TV where possible – and carefully follow all advice and warnings DO regularly discuss the situation with your family, community members and neighbors, village leaders and authorities – take note of any changes in flood conditions and share information quickly DO NOT: DO NOT wade through flood water • ! It may contain poisonous animals, snakes or spiders • ! It may be contaminated by sewage or by chemicals causing sickness / skin diseases • !it may obscure open drains which you could fall into • ! It may contain obstacles which could injure you • ! It may cause electrocution from underground or fallen power cables • ! It may be much deeper than you think • ! It may be fast flowing or contain currents • ! REMEMBER • ! ONLY 30 cm of water can sweep you away • ! If you must enter slow flowing, shallow flood water, wear solid shoes or trainers and trousers / take a stick to probe the water for depth, current, obstacles and drainage holes / rinse thoroughly and disinfect your skin and hands when you come out DO NOT eat food which has been in contact with flood water and do not eat fish caught in the flood water DO NOT eat spoiled food - it may contain bacteria DO NOT eat livestock which has been drowned in the floodwater DO NOT drink water from wells; ONLY drink water which has been boiled, or supplied in bottles DO NOT use gas, electricity or electrical appliances which have come into contact with flood water – until they have been safety checked DO NOT walk near river banks, sand bag mounds or canal edges – these may collapse DO NOT go to the toilet, or place bags of sewage or rubbish in the flood water unless absolutely necessary and there is no viable alternative
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 05:17:16 +0000
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