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<br />B. Health Precautions <br /> <br />If you are on city water, make sure the city has not issued a boil order. <br />If floodwaters got into your well, wait for the health department to <br />approve it. In the meantime, water can be purified by boil ing for at <br />least 10 minutes or using chlorine or iodine water purification tablets <br />(follow instructions on the bottle). <br /> <br />Clean up garbage, animal carcasses, spoiled food, etc., as a precaution <br />against rats and insects. If garbage cannot be picked up or burned, bury <br />it in a pit and cover with at least 18 inches of soil. Choose a site <br />where underground drainage will not reach your water supply. <br /> <br />Control insects by draining any standing water and emptying barrels and <br />cans (don't forget to look in your crawl space). Clean up decaying <br />vegetable matter. Repair window screens. For lice, bed bugs, etc., <br />buy commercial insecticides. Report all major problems to the health <br />depa rtment. <br /> <br />If power was interrupted by floodwaters, keep the freezer closed until <br />power is restored. Vegetables, fruits or meats that still have ice <br />crystals on them can be refrozen or eaten (they may be discolored or <br />taste funny but they are safe). Do not refreeze food that has thawed <br />completely. IF IN DOUBT - THROW IT OUT. <br /> <br />Food in metal cans can be kept. <br />Be sure to check the cans for <br />bulges or leaks which indicate <br />spoilage. Throw bulging cans <br />away - DO NOT EVEN TRY TO TASTE <br />THEIR CONTENTS. Before opening, <br />disinfect the cans by boiling <br />for at least 10 minutes or <br />immersing in a sanitizing solu- <br />tion for 2 minutes. If you <br />boil the cans, they may bulge <br />but they will regain their <br />shape when cooled - this does <br />not indi cate spoil age. If you <br />use the sanitizing solution, <br />do not dry the cans with a <br />towel, let them air dry thoroughly. <br /> <br />SANITIZING SOLUTION: One <br />tablespoon of sodium hypo- <br />chlorite laundry bleach to <br />one gallon of water at room <br />temperature (700-750). <br />For double strength, use <br />two tablespoons. <br /> <br />Avoid strangers selling food at suspiciously low prices. Report them and <br />their license plate numbers to local authorities. <br /> <br />Wash dishes, pots, pans and utensils in hot sudsy water, rinse, then dip <br />in sanitizing solution. Do not dry dishes with a dish towel; let them <br />air dry. If cupboards and counters got wet, clean and sanitize them <br />before storing dishes and utensils. <br /> <br />38 <br />