It’s already serious when flood water invades the property. The serious threat heightens when flood water remains on the property for days without moving. Sitting water isn’t good for the home or the family. Flood water changes to a brownish-like color due to water mixing with sewage, waste, debris, chemical solvents, and toxins. It’s dangerous inhaling the surrounding air let alone touching it. Still, not removing flood water immediately will cause these health hazards.
Infections
Cover up wounds, cuts, and rashes already on the skin with a waterproof bandage before tacking standing flood water. Better yet, stay away from flood water if wounds, cuts, and rashes already exist on the body. If the infected area does touch standing water, clean wounds, cuts, and rashes with soap and water at least three times. Failure to do this causes serious infections. Seek medical help immediately if a rash, wound, or cuts develop swelling, redness, or drainage.
Diseases
Diarrheal and bacterial diseases stem from standing flood water. Diarrheal diseases occur when individuals and families consume water-contaminated food and drinks. Bacterial diseases manifest and thrive in standing water. Specifically, homeowners and his/her families can catch E-coli, Shigella, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Vibrio, and Leptospirosis. Prevent infections by washing hands after touching flood water. The same goes for children. Stop children from playing in flood water and playing with water-contaminated toys. Additionally, individuals and families can catch immersion foot (a.k.a. trench foot) when feet remain wet for too long and cause pain.
Injuries
If homeowners, family members, friends, and helpful strangers aren’t careful, injuries can occur from standing water. The brown, murky water makes it impossible to see what’s underneath. Down power lines underneath murky water causes electrocutions when stepped on. Individuals and families can step on glass, metal, and sharp objects too, creating cuts and wounds. Insects flying above the water and animals/reptiles hiding below can bite, causing infection. Mosquito bites generate separate complications due to carrying additional diseases like Zika and West Nile. Last, novice and experienced swimmers can experience drowning due to the deadly chemicals inhabiting it.
These valid reasons are encouraging to individuals and families who want to procrastinate on flood water and water-damaged item removal. Water cannot remain stagnant in one place for too long. Clear the property and contact a professional to handle water restoration now so it doesn’t generate supplemental problems later.
