After a Flood: How to keep everyone in the family safe? Let's talk!

A flood is something that changes our lives in ways we can't even imagine, right? Not only homes, but your child's school, playgrounds, and even entire villages can change and look unrecognizable. There are no words to describe the shock , fear, and anxiety that you feel at a time like this. But, as a mother or father, you have a great responsibility to protect your children even in these difficult times. Their safety is more important than anything else. So, today, let's talk about how to take care of your children and everyone in your family after a flood.

What are the dangers after a flood?

We can't just assume that the flood has receded. Because, at the same time, there may be many other hidden dangers around our homes and in the environment. Let's see what they are?

Standing Water

Simply put, this is a pool of water that has accumulated in one place without draining. You may see puddles and small ponds like this inside your house, in your garden, or on the side of the road. These are not just puddles of water, they can contain very dangerous things. Just think:

• Downed light wires: These are a great source of electrical shock. Water is a good conductor of electricity .
• Sharp objects, debris: Things like glass shards, pieces of wood, and iron bars may be hidden under this water. If a small child were to step into this water, what are the chances of getting cuts or injuries ?
• Chemical waste and feces: Various chemicals, human and animal feces, and other substances that come with floods may have accumulated in this water. These are very dirty and can spread diseases .
• Animals: Animals like rats and snakes can come to these areas where water is stagnant.

Another thing is mosquitoes . Stagnant water like this is the best place for mosquitoes to lay their eggs . When mosquitoes bite, they not only cause itching, but they can also spread dangerous diseases like dengue.

Most importantly: Be especially careful with young children and babies. Even in very shallow water, a small child is at high risk of drowning . Therefore, never allow children to play in or near any remaining water after the flood has receded.

Contaminated Water

Flood water is not just water, it is full of germs . If you touch this water, you can develop skin problems, rashes, wound infections, and even dangerous diseases like tetanus . Imagine, if you have a small scratch or wound on your hand, this dirty water can easily become infected if it comes into contact with it. Not only that, if this germ-laden water somehow gets into your mouth, you can also develop stomach problems like diarrhea .

Due to floods, sometimes the tap water that comes to our homes may also be contaminated. Therefore, until informed by the health departments in your area, it is safest to use only bottled water for drinking, cooking, making baby formula, and bathing. Check with the local health officer or the Grama Niladhari about this.

Mold

After a flood, there is a high chance that things like walls, furniture, mattresses, and carpets in the house will get damp and mold will grow. You may notice that there is black or green mold on the walls and wooden furniture. This is not just rot, when you breathe in these mold spores, they can get into your body, especially for a child with breathing problems like asthma , and allergies can worsen. If your child is coughing or sneezing frequently, you should also think about this. If there is a lot of mold in the house, you may need to seek the help of professional cleaners.

Carbon monoxide gas

When the lights go out due to flooding, we sometimes use gas generators . You need to be very careful when using these. Because the gas released from these is called Carbon Monoxide, which we cannot see or smell, but is very toxic and can even be life-threatening. Therefore, do not always keep the generator inside the house. Keep it outside the house, at least 20 feet (about 6 meters) away. If you do not already have a Carbon Monoxide Detector , it is very important to install one.

What should you do after the flood recedes?

After the flood recedes, if you can, leave your children with a family member or a trusted friend for a few days. This is not because you don't love your children, but because you are concerned about their safety.

Do not allow children to play in floodwaters, remove flood-damaged items, or help with cleanup work for any reason. Also, seeing the damage caused by the flood may make them feel sad and scared.

Only adults like you should do the cleaning. However, it is not good for pregnant women or people with breathing difficulties to be involved in this cleaning work. Tell your children that you will come to see them soon, and reassure them.

Don't even think about reusing toys (especially cloth toys), blankets, mattresses, paper, and books that have been soaked in floodwater. Throw them away. They may be harboring germs and mold. Find out what to do with other items, and if you can, look up cleaning instructions from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) online.

Before bringing your children back home, make sure that the basic amenities like plumbing and electricity are working properly. This will make it easier for you to take care of them.

What else do we need to know?

As your family slowly recovers from the flood, it can be important to explain to your children how the flood happened in a way they can understand. Explain to them that these things happen because of natural disasters like heavy rain, storms, and hurricanes . You can also research how to talk to your children about these natural disasters and how to ease their fears.

Also, it is a good idea to be prepared for a flood situation in advance. Flash floods come without any warning. But sometimes the weather forecast can give a hint about a flood. Therefore, being prepared in advance can greatly reduce the damage that will occur. Be aware of that too.

So, what's the take-home message?

A flood is a big challenge, and it's not easy to get back to normal after it. But, with the right knowledge, preparation, and support from each other, we can face this difficult situation.

Remember, the most important thing is the safety and well-being of your children. Every effort you make to take care of them is worth it. Don't worry, this too shall pass. Don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Wishing you all a speedy recovery!

` Floods, child safety, health after floods, mold, carbon monoxide, dirty water, Sri Lanka