If you are doing cleanup of the damage:
* Be sure to wash your hands after touching anything that was in contact with floodwaters.They could carry bacteria that could make you sick.
* Anything that ABSORBED floodwater should be thrown out.
* Items that don't absorb water, such as floors and toys, can be washed with soap and water, then wiped with disinfectant.
* And if you get cut by debris, but can't recall getting a tetanus shot in the past 10 years, see your doctor right away.
If your home lost power during hurricane sandy, don't assume everything in the fridge & freezer will be OK when the power goes back on.
* After 4 hours without power, food in the refrigerator gets warm enough for bacteria to grow.
* Frozen food will stay safe for 48 hours - IF your freezer is full.
* And it will be safe for 24 hours if it was half-full.
But those guidelines only hold if you didn't open the doors while the power was out.
It may seem wasteful to throw out food that isn't obviously spoiled, but it is far better than putting your family's health at risk.
