Important instructions for protection after a flood, for the movement of citizens, for cleaning the house, for the consumption of water and food and for the safety of citizens, the Ministry of Health gave.

Guidelines for the movement of citizens in flooded areas:

– Do not enter, walk or drive in flooded areas with running or standing water unless absolutely necessary.

– Do not go near flooded areas where there are power poles or downed power lines.

– If you need to enter flooded areas wear wellies and use a long stick to check the depth of the water, and avoid sewers and drains that may be underwater.

Instructions for cleaning the house:

– Wear wellies, waterproof gloves, long clothes and raincoat.

– If you use a hose or pressurized water for cleaning, you may cause splashing, so it is recommended to wear a face mask and glasses if possible.

– It is recommended to disinfect the areas where possible with a bleach-type disinfectant or another disinfectant.

– After finishing the work, wash these clothes separately with warm water and detergent and wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap.

– Remove and throw away from your home objects that have come into contact with the flood water, in case they cannot be washed or disinfected (eg mattresses, household items, etc.). Be careful in every procedure to wear wellies, waterproof gloves, long clothes and waterproof.

Guidelines for water and food consumption:

– Do not drink water from the water supply network or use it to wash dishes, wash your hands, brush your teeth or wash or prepare food, until all appropriate measures have been taken to ensure its quality. Use bottled water.

– Do not eat any produce grown in a flooded field or garden unless it has been cooked.

– Throw away food, in closed or open packages that have come into contact with flood waters.

– Throw away any food in your fridge or freezer if it hasn’t been served for a few hours. The flood waters may have carried rodents and reptiles from other areas which may be dangerous. Rodent urine can contaminate water with pathogenic microorganisms.

Notes for the safety of citizens:

– Large reservoirs can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes which in turn can cause nuisance and possibly diseases such as West Nile Virus.

– In case you have injuries and open wounds, avoid exposing them to flood water because there is a risk of infection.

– Do not use electrical appliances if they may be wet. Switch them on only when they have been checked by a qualified electrician.

Keep your children safe by:

– Do not let them play in flooded areas.

– Wash children’s hands often and always before meals.

– Wash toys contaminated by flood waters with hot water and detergent. Soft toys can be placed in a warm washing machine (60 ° C).

– Parents with unwell infants with diarrhea and vomiting should seek medical advice.

– You should contact your doctor if you become ill after accidentally ingesting contaminated water or mud, particularly if you develop diarrhoea, fever or abdominal pain within 2 weeks of contact with flood water or sewage.