Clean Up Remaining Debris

Scroll

Managing Debris after a Disaster

Separate debris into construction, vegetation, household hazardous, waste, white goods, and electronics categories.

DO NOT bury or burn debris.

Disaster debris should be disposed of in a Type III (Construction & Debris) landfill.

Getting Rid Of Standing Water

Drain wet areas and puddles of water around play equipment.

Clean out eaves and troughs.

As floodwaters recede, be sure to drain, overturn, or empty water-filled areas to reduce mosquito breeding areas and help reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

Remove standing water in rain gutters, buckets, plastic covers, toys, etc.

Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches.

Preventing Waterborne
Illness After a Disaster

Always wash your hands.

Use only water that has been boiled, disinfected, or deemed safe by authorities.

Do not allow children to play in floodwaters as exposure to it may cause viruses, parasites, injuries, or infectious diseases.

Do not allow children to play with toys that have been in flood water.

Wash or discard all toys that have come into contact with flood waters.

Food Safety After a Disaster

Contact the local health department for approval to reopen/operate after a disaster.

NEVER eat commercially prepared cans of food IF cans are bulging or if there are openings on the can, screw caps, soda bottle tops, or twist-caps.

NEVER eat food that has been out of refrigeration for more than four hours after a disaster.

Any food contact surfaces should be washed, rinsed, and sanitized before being put back into service.

NEVER eat any food that may have come into contact with contaminated water.

NEVER use powdered formulas prepared with untreated water. Use boiled water instead.

Assume that home-canned food is unsafe after a disaster.

Water Well Care After a Disaster

DO NOT drink water until the well has been tested.

DO NOT attempt to repair the water system yourself unless you are experienced.

IF you have water treatment devices, remove all membranes, cartridges and filters.

Disinfect both the drinking water well and plumbing to ensure that all infectious agents are killed.
Learn More

It is safest to drink bottled water until you are certain that water is free of contaminants and safe to drink at your childcare center.

It is very critical that you seek professional help prior to a disaster to determine ways to properly care for your well.

After a disaster, water contaminated with fuel or toxic chemicals will not be made safe by boiling or disinfection.

Septic Systems Care

DO NOT use the sewage system until water in the soil absorption field is lower than the water level around the house.

IF damage is suspected, have your system professionally inspected and serviced.

Contact your local health department before a disaster to obtain a list of septic system contractors who work in your area.

DO NOT pump the tank during flooded or saturated drain field conditions.

Be sure the septic tank’s manhole cover is secure and that inspection ports have been blocked or damaged.

What Did We Learn?

Understand the environmental hazards your facility may experience.

Create a disaster game plan.

Plan for the dangers of flood waters entering your facility & be aware of critical hazards that exist after a disaster.

Proceed with caution into your facility.

Proper food safety after a disaster is critical.

Eliminate standing water & be cautious of your water supply after a disaster.

Hindsight is 20/20,
but foresight is
priceless!

When We Prepare for Natural Disasters

Save the lives of children & staff.

Enable programs to return to providing care after a disaster.

Provide child care for parents returning to work.

Protect the program’s building and equipment.

Provide child care for first responders.

Support employees and employers.