Health rules after an emergency
Listen to your radio for advice and information on ways to help yourself and others recover from the emergency.
If it has been a major event, a number of the everyday services such as water, sewerage and a rubbish collection will probably no longer be functioning. To avoid a health hazard follow these simple instructions:
Water supply
Until you are told otherwise, regard all water as contaminated and do not use it until it has been boiled for several minutes.
Use bottled water or turn off the power and water to your hot water cylinder and use the water sparingly. Bottles and cans of drink are a good source of drinking fluids and will leave more water for cooking and hygiene.
You may be able to collect rainwater from the roof if it rains. Don’t collect the initial water coming off the roof as it may contain foreign matter.
Sewage disposal
If the radio announcements say the sewage system is not working don’t use the toilet. It may end up in someone else’s home!
Until the system is fixed, dig a deep hole in the garden for a temporary toilet. Find something for a flyproof cover to go over it and you will probably want to make a privacy screen around it.
An alternative is a caravan toilet or a covered bucket in the garage shed. You will still need the hole with flyproof cover to empty these into.
Have disinfectant and water handy for washing hands. Remember to use the water sparingly though.
Rubbish collection
It may be some time before regular rubbish collection resumes. Bury bio-degradable rubbish in the garden, or store it in well sealed bags in a place where animals can’t get at them.
Rubbish collection sites might be arranged – listen to your radio.
Food
If the electricity has failed, food stored in refrigerators and freezers will eventually spoil. You can make the most of your food supplies by using them in the correct order:
- Fresh foods and food from the refrigerator should be used first but open the fridge as few times as possible.
- Food from the cabinet freezer
- Food from a chest freezer – putting blankets over this type of freezer can help keep the food colder for longer
- Canned and packet foods should be kept until last.
Hygiene becomes very important when preparing food after an emergency. Remember to ensure that water used in preparing and cooking food has been boiled for several minutes to make it safe.
If using a barbeque or camping stove to cook food, use it outside to avoid harmful fumes in the house or accidental fire – the ambulance and fire services may be unable to respond if you have an accident.
Chemicals and fuels
As soon as possible after an emergency, check on the state of your garden chemicals, fuel and cleaning products in the house, garage and shed. Some of these when spilled and mixed can be dangerous to your health.
If there has been a spillage, use rubber gloves to handle containers and dispose of them into separate plastic bags. If fumes are present it may be best to seek help to deal with the situation.
Last reviewed: 30 Jun 2008 1:10pm
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