Are you concerned about food and water safety after the flood? (Food and Water Safety) Let's find out exactly what this means!

Floods and landslides are a bit familiar to our country. How many times have we seen our homes submerged in water at an unimaginable time and been without electricity for days? At times like these, the biggest question that comes to our minds is about food. "Is this water safe to drink?", "Can I eat this food that was in the fridge?" Many questions come to mind. Because, at times like these, even a small mistake can cause the whole family to get sick. So, today, let's talk about how to ensure the safety of our food and drinking water after such a disaster.

Let's first look at water: How to ensure the safety of drinking water?

After a flood, never assume that the water coming straight from your tap is safe to drink. Flood water can mix with our water supply systems, and dangerous germs can enter. Therefore, be aware of the warnings issued by the local health department or disaster management center. Imagine that you do not have access to bottled water, but you are also suspicious of the water from the tap. In such a case, you need to purify the water before drinking it. There are three simple ways to do this. 1. Boiling water: This is the best and safest method. Put the water you want to drink in a pot, put it on the stove and boil it for at least 1 minute . If you are in a mountainous area, it is better to boil it for about 3 minutes. Then turn it off and drink it. This method kills most bacteria and viruses. 2. Purifying with bleach: Use this method only if there is no way to boil the water. All you need for this is unscented liquid household bleach.

• Take about 4 liters of clean water.
• Add 8 drops (about 1/8 of a teaspoon) of freshly purchased bleaching liquid to it.
• Now mix this well and keep it aside for at least 30 minutes .
• Warning: While this method will kill bacteria in the water, it will not kill some parasites. Also, do not add more bleach than the exact amount recommended.

3. Water-purifying tablets: These can be purchased at pharmacies or sporting goods stores. You can use these tablets to purify water by following the instructions on the packet. It is a good idea to keep a pack of these tablets at home in case of emergencies.

Now let's look at food: Food security after the floods

If floodwaters reach your home, the first thing you should do is check your stored food. Especially meat, fish, milk, eggs, and seafood.If perishable items like meat are not properly refrigerated, they can still make you sick, even if they are cooked thoroughly. To help you make decisions about food safety, let's break this down.

Here's how to clean cans and jars:

Even if the can is undamaged, do not use it directly. 1. First, remove the label from the can. 2. Then wash it thoroughly with soap. 3. Disinfect the can by soaking it in a solution of 1/4 cup bleach to 4 liters of water for about 15 minutes. 4. After cleaning, use a marker to rewrite the contents of the can and the expiration date.

What do you do when the power goes out?

What happens to the things in the fridge and freezer when the power goes out is also a big problem.

• Keep the doors of the fridge and freezer closed as much as possible. That way, the cold inside stays in.
• If the door is not opened, a typical fridge stays cold for about 4 hours .
• A freezer, if it's completely full, will stay cold for about 48 hours (2 days) . If it's half full, it will stay cold for about 24 hours .
• If you can, prepare some dry ice before the power goes out. It will help keep the freezer cold longer.
• If you are eating meat, fish , or eggs in the fridge/freezer while they are still at a safe temperature, make sure to cook them thoroughly .
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean, safe water before eating.

Especially if you have young babies: If possible, use prepared, canned baby formula that does not require adding water. If you are giving powdered milk, be sure to use clean bottled water.

What do you do after the current comes?

After the current comes, take care of these things before using the things in the fridge.

• Freezer: If you have a thermometer in your freezer, check it. If the temperature is 4 degrees Celsius (4°C) or lower , the food is safe. You can refreeze it. If you don't have a thermometer, check each package of food. If there are still ice crystals, that's a good sign. That means the food is still safe. Don't judge by smell or appearance alone.
• The fridge: Most things in the fridge are safe if the power has been out for no more than 4 hours .
• If perishable foods (meat, fish, eggs, leftovers) have been at temperatures above 4 degrees Celsius for more than two hours, be sure to remove them.

The simplest rule is: "When in doubt, throw it out!" (When in doubt, throw it out!). It's better to avoid a big illness because of a small piece of food.

If you or someone in your family develops symptoms such as stomach ache, vomiting, or diarrhea after eating such food, see a doctor immediately. It could be food poisoning.

Take-Home Message

• After a disaster such as a flood, if you are in doubt about drinking water, be sure to boil it or purify it in another way before drinking.
• Remove any food that has been soaked in floodwater, even if it looks good.
• Keep the fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible when there is a power outage.
• After the current arrives, check to see if the temperature of the food is below 4 degrees Celsius and if there are any ice cubes. If in doubt, throw the food away.
• If you develop symptoms of food poisoning ( vomiting , diarrhea ), see your doctor without delay.

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