The torrential storms may have passed the area where you live, but that in no way means you can resume a normal life.

It’s safe‚ actually required‚ to assume that everything from the water supply to the food in the refrigerator is contaminated to a certain degree. In addition to unsafe food and water, flood conditions disrupt the existing wildlife of your area, bringing you face-to-face with dangerous or diseased wild animals

In an abstract way, even the human survivors of these disasters have been contaminated‚ through the shock of seeing their belongings destroyed, if not the loss of life. Such upheavals require a very persistent and dedicated effort to overcome. Here are some tips on how you can safely get through Mother Nature’s post-traumatic stress.

THE WATER SUPPLY
Major storms, especially if they cause flooding, can wreck havoc on the public water supply. Drinking water that has been contaminated may cause illness, so you can never assume that the water coming out of your tap is safe. Don’t use it for anything until you see or hear official public announcements that it’s safe for consumption.

This illustrates the need for having ample amounts of stored bottled water. If you don’t have bottled water, you’ll have to boil or treat water to consume or use it. You cannot take for granted that the water in the affected area is safe to drink, use to brush your teeth, wash dishes, wash and prepare food, make ice or baby formula. (Baby formula that doesn’t need added water can be a godsend.) Need to clean up? Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

If you only have tap water at your disposal‚ or you’re not sure of the source of your bottled water‚ you can still use it if you boil or treat it with chlorine. The best way to kill harmful bacteria in water is by boiling it vigorously for at least one minute. After boiling, let it cool off for a while before you drink it. Boiled water will taste better if you put oxygen back into it by pouring the water back and forth between two clean containers. This will also improve the taste of stored water.

If you don’t have a heat source to boil water, you can add 1/8 teaspoon of household chlorine bleach to a gallon of clear water. If the available water is cloudy, double the amount of bleach. Mix the solution thoroughly and let it stand for a half-hour before using. Chlorine or iodine tablets will also come in handy to kill bacteria in water; follow the instructions on the package to use. However, chlorine and iodine tables will not kill parasitic organisms. Make sure the water containers you use have been cleaned with a bleach solution, too.

As bad as contaminated tap water can be, using floodwater can be much worse. If the storm produced flooding, the waters may contain fecal material from overflowing sewage systems and agricultural and industrial waste. That creates a huge risk should you eat or drink anything contaminated with floodwater.

Even though skin contact with floodwater does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, children shouldn’t play in floodwater areas, let alone with floodwater-soaked toys. You can disinfect toys using a solution of one cup of bleach in five gallons of water. Suffice it to say, any food that may have been touched or moistened with floodwater should be thrown away immediately.

THE FOOD SUPPLY
What about the food left in your refrigerator? If left unopened since the blackout, your refrigerator will keep foods cool for about four hours without power. You’ll need block or dry ice to keep the food safe if the electricity will be off longer than that. Pack milk, other dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, gravy, and spoilable leftovers into a cooler surrounded by ice. If this food is being stored a temperature greater than 40 degrees for more than two hours, it isn’t safe to consume anymore, Freezers, if packed with food and ice, can keep their contents longer.

Food in a freezer affords you considerably more time. A half-full freezer can store food safely for up to 24 hours. You can double that time if the freezer’s full. Like the refrigerator, the less often you open the door, the longer the food stays. Using dry ice in the freezer keeps the food even longer than that; but you have to handle it quite carefully, wearing dry, heavy gloves to avoid injury.

Thawed food can usually be eaten if it is still "refrigerator cold," or re-frozen if it still contains ice crystals. This can’t be stressed enough: If the food has been stored at temperatures warmer than 40 degrees for more than two hours‚ or if it has a smells funny or is discolored in any way, don’t think twice‚ throw it away! A digital quick-response thermometer is invaluable here, as it can check the temperature of your food to determine its safety.

Bottom line: When in doubt, throw it out. Never ever taste food to determine if it is safe. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they‚Äôve been at room temperature longer than two hours, bacteria that can cause food-borne illness can begin to multiply very rapidly‚ including the creation of toxins that can not be destroyed by cooking and can possibly cause illness.
 

The potential of injury or sickness from exposure to contaminated water is considerable after a flood, so one should always be prepared at the first sign of illness or injury. All open wounds should be immediately cleaned with soap and clean water. To inhibit or prevent infection, antibiotic ointment should be applied to the affected area as well. Seek immediate medical attention should the wound redden, swell or drain. Any major injury or cut should be reported to a physician in the event that further treatment, such as a tetanus shot, is needed.

PREVENTING POST-STORM INJURIES
You can minimize the chances of being injured in the aftermath of a storm if you follow these suggestions:

WEAR PROTECTIVE GEAR
If at all possible, wear hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves, and watertight boots with steel toes and insoles when cleaning up your residence. If heavy equipment like chainsaws or dryers are making a lot of noise, some earplugs or protective headphones will come in quite handy.

BEWARE OF ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
Water and electrical circuits or equipment can make for a deadly combination. Never enter flooded areas or touch electrical equipment if the ground is wet, unless you are certain that the power is off. Don’t even come close to, let alone handle, a downed power line. Be sure all power is turned off at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel‚ and don’t turn the power back on until everything is inspected by a qualified electrician.

If clean-up work or repairs have to be done near a downed power line, first contact the utility company to discuss de-energizing and grounding or shielding the power lines. Be very careful when moving ladders and other equipment near overhead power lines; you don’t want the metal ladder you’re carrying to touch them by accident.

SAVE YOUR BACK  
When it comes to cleaning up storm damage, large or heavy pieces of debris often have to be removed from the premises. The chances for sustaining a serious back injury are great if you aren’t highly cognizant of maintaining the proper posture when manual lifting or handling debris and building materials. If the objects to be removed are heavy or bulky, it’s best to use teams of two or more people, or appropriate automated-assist lifting devices. A good rule of thumb: Don’t even attempt to lift anything that weighs more than 50 pounds.

WATCH OUT FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 
One of the hidden dangers in cleaning up after the floodwaters recede are hazardous materials such as propane or pesticides, which may have leaked out of broken tanks, drums, pipes, and equipment due to the flood. If you see any such containers lying around, don’t try to move them without first contacting the local fire department or hazardous materials team.
 
If you have to clean up in a potentially contaminated area, do everything you can to cover all exposed skin, and avoid the vapors by wearing appropriate protective clothing and respirators. Furthermore, thoroughly wash any area of skin that may have been exposed to chemicals or pesticides.

MOLD
Often overlooked in a flood-damaged house is the growth of mold and toxic microorganisms that thrive in wet or damp environments. Certain molds can cause allergic reactions or exacerbate physical conditions or illnesses such as asthma. All areas where mold is growing‚ or can grow‚ should be washed and/or chlorinated thoroughly.

BEWARE OF STRAY ANIMALS
Human beings aren’t the only ones impacted by weather catastrophes. Pets and wild animals are also uprooted from what used to be their normal habitats. Be cautious of wild or stray animals since they may be disoriented, injured or dangerous following a major storm or flood. Odds are they’re hungry and hence easily irritated. Do not try to befriend a stray dog or cat; it’s far more preferable to confine the animal without getting bitten and then call the Animal Control agency in your county.

Many wild animals may be forced to wander into developed neighborhoods in search of food or shelter. They could also contaminate the water supply, cause a build-up of manure, over-graze sensitive ecosystems and cause damage to crops.

Those that don’t survive can be more dangerous since decaying carcasses create biologic waste, and attract flies and rodents, which can spread disease. They may also contaminate groundwater and cause bad odors. Should you find an animal carcass, dispose of it as soon as possible. Your local animal control department or health department can offer specific disposal guidance.

PREVENT WEST NILE VIRUS (WNV)
Major storms usually leave a lot of standing water in their wake, which creates a fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes during the summer and autumn months. You can get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flowerpots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in birdbaths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and tipped on their sides when they aren't in use.

Since it’s virtually impossible to remove all areas of standing water, the most effective way of avoiding WNV is to prevent mosquito bites. When outdoors, use insect repellents containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). Follow the directions on the package. Since many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn, use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants during those times, or just stay indoors. Light-colored clothing can help you see mosquitoes that land on you.

THERMAL STRESS DANGERS
As is often the case, weather conditions after a hurricane or tornado can be hot, muggy, or unseasonably cool. Either way, the considerable difference in temperature and humidity can create specific health problems, including heat stroke and hypothermia. To reduce the risk of developing a heat-related condition, be sure to drink a glass of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes and wear loose-fitting clothing. To minimize the chances of a cold-related affliction that can impact you if you’re working in water that is cooler than 75 degrees, it’s strongly suggested you wear rubber boots; ensure there’s adequate insulation in all clothing and boots; that you take frequent breaks out of the water; and you change into dry clothing whenever possible.

People who are in the process of cleaning and rebuilding their lives after a devastating weather condition have a tendency to work extremely long hours at a time. Before they know it, they’re suffering from exhaustion, which fosters very stressful situations.

To lessen the chance that such action would have negative physical consequences, pace yourself, set priorities for cleanup tasks, take frequent breaks and refresh yourself with liquids and high-energy snacks. Above all, get plenty of rest and establish a normal sleep schedule as quickly as possible. It’s imperative for you to monitor not only your physical strength, but your mental strength at all times. If you feel emotionally exhausted in any way, consult family members, friends or professionals for emotional support.