Stay Alert, Stay Alive - Key safety measures after Melissa

After a hurricane or major storm, protecting your health and well-being is crucial. By taking the right precautions - such as drinking safe water and practising good hygiene - you can greatly reduce your risk of illness.

The following are essential safety guidelines to help you stay safe in the aftermath of a storm.

Drink safe water only - Use bottled water or boiled water for drinking and cooking.

Treat water - Treat the water by boiling or adding bleach. Water should be heated until it comes to a 'rolling boil' (where large bubbles continuously coming to the surface of the water) which should be maintained for one minute. For one litre or one quart of water, two drops of bleach should be added. For 20 litres, or five gallons, add half of a teaspoon of bleach. Ensure that you mix well and leave it for 30 minutes before consuming.

Avoid contaminated water - Stay away from floodwaters, rivers, and ponds, which may carry pathogens.

Wash hands frequently - Use soap and safe water, especially before eating or preparing food.

Use hand sanitiser - If water is limited, use alcohol-based sanitiser.

Cook food thoroughly - Ensure all meat, fish, and poultry are fully cooked.

Avoid raw or unwashed produce - Wash fruits and vegetables with clean water before eating.

Keep food covered - Protect food from flies, insects, and flood contaminants.

Discard spoiled food - Throw out food that was in contact with floodwater or shows signs of spoilage.

Maintain personal hygiene - Bathe regularly to prevent skin infections.

Protect wounds - Clean and cover cuts and scrapes to prevent infection.

Use insect repellent - Prevent mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, Zika, and malaria.

Avoid stagnant water - Empty containers and standing water to prevent mosquito breeding.

Dispose of waste safely - Use sealed bags or designated areas to prevent contamination.

Monitor for illness - Watch for diarrhoea, fever, or skin infections and seek medical attention promptly.

Avoid downed power lines - Treat all fallen lines as live and dangerous.

Use caution when entering buildings - Check for structural damage before going inside.

Wear protective clothing and boots - Prevent cuts, infections, and exposure to contaminants.

Be careful with debris - Watch out for sharp objects, broken glass, and unstable structures.

Check on neighbours and vulnerable persons - Ensure children, the elderly, and the sick are safe.

Report all broken sewer or water mains - Reports should be made directly to the parish council, or the Water Resources Authority for your area.

Conserve water - Do not use stored water for washing houses, cars and watering gardens until normal water services have been restored.