For Immediate Release

June 6, 2008

Contact:  Vicki L. Duey, Executive Director, Four Corners Health Department 

Phone 402-362-2621

The Four Corners Health Department would like to remind us of safety tips for those affected by recent storms and flooding:

• If you walk in swiftly flowing water, you risk drowning—regardless of your ability to swim.  Quickly moving shallow water can be deadly, and even shallow standing water can be dangerous for small children.  Keep kids away from storm and flood water.  Avoid wading in standing water, which also may contain glass or metal fragments.
• Cars or other vehicles do not provide adequate protection from flood waters.  Cars can be swept away or may break down in moving water.
• Be alert to electrical and fire hazards.  Stay clear of fallen power lines.  Call the power company to report them.  During clean-up, if electrical circuits or equipment have gotten wet or are in or near water, turn off the electricity at the circuit breaker or fuse on the service panel.  Don’t turn the power back on until it has been inspected and found to be safe by a certified electrician.
• Remember to wash your hands frequently with clean water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.  Disinfect toys that may have come into contact with storm waters.
• Clean up and prevent mold growth.  Dry out the building as quickly as possible.  Clean wet objects and surfaces with a bleach solution of 1 cup bleach per 5 gallons of water.
• If you receive a puncture wound or a wound contaminated with soil, sewer or storm water, treat the wound with soap and clean water and apply an antibiotic ointment.  Contact your medical provider to find out if a tetanus shot is needed.