TIPS FOR PREVENTING FLOOD-RELATED ILLNESS, INJURY

During widespread flooding, personal health and safety is a primary concern. The UAB School of Public Health offers the following tips for preventing disease and injury:

• Exposure to floodwater does not necessitate any special vaccinations; however, individuals sustaining injuries, particularly lacerations or puncture wounds, should be given a tetanus booster if they have not received a booster within the last 10 years – five years if the injury is a major wound.
  
  
• In severe flooding, water systems may become contaminated. To prevent waterborne illnesses, avoid swallowing, swimming or wading in floodwater. If exposure is unavoidable, wear protective clothing or footwear and gloves if possible.
  
  
• Refrigerated food is generally safe if the power has not been off for more than two to three hours. Most freezers will keep food safe without power for 36-to-48 hours if left closed. Any foods exposed to floodwater should be discarded.
  
  
• In coastal areas that are below sea level, there is a risk of caskets being unearthed. Unearthed caskets and embalmed bodies do not pose a public health risk. Caskets should be retrieved and secured until they can be identified. Anyone finding a body should report it immediately to law enforcement authorities.
  
  
• Mildew, mold and fungi will grow in flooded buildings that do not dry out quickly. Wet carpet, walls, mattresses and furniture are breeding grounds for mold and mildew that can present health problems such as allergies and asthma. Remove and discard carpet and other materials saturated with floodwater and scrub hard surfaces with warm soapy water using laundry detergent. Wash all clothing items in hot soapy water.
  
  
• Flooding can result in excessive breeding of mosquitoes, resulting in the possibility of diseases being carried by the insects. As soon as possible, remove excess water from birdbaths, flowerpots, tires, buckets and other containers to minimize the breeding of mosquitoes.
  
  
• In areas where flooding is expected, such as basements and lower levels, unplug all electrical appliances.
  
  
• Snakes and other wild animals displaced from their homes are prone to enter abandoned homes, vehicles, furniture and equipment. Before reentering homes or vehicles, or placing furniture back in the home, check for snakes and other animals. Small dead animals found around the home may be placed in dumpsters or buried. Do not handle with bare hands. If large livestock are found, contact a local cooperative extension agent to determine the appropriate disposal method.

HURRICANE-PROOF YOUR HOME

Follow some common-sense safety tips to stay safe during a hurricane, says Katherine Terry, M.P.H., of UAB’s Injury Control Research Center. “Wind and rain are the major problems as a hurricane moves inland, leading to power outages, building damage and possible flooding,” she says.

The UAB Injury Control Research Center offers the following safety tips:

• Secure outside items so they do not become windborne projectiles.
  
  
• Candles are a fire risk. Use battery-powered lanterns and flashlights in a power outage. Have extra batteries on hand.
  
  
• Stay away from windows and avoid upper floors if possible.
  
  
• Fill up clean containers with fresh water in case the water system fails. Fill your bathtub to have a water source for cleanup and to keep commodes working.
  
  
• Keep pets inside and secure.
  
  
• Put money and important documents in waterproof bags or containers, and place out of reach of floodwaters.
  
  
• Watch out for downed power lines and assume all lines are ‘hot’ even if down.
  
  
• Don’t use propane grills and stoves indoors.
  
  
• If severe lightning is present and you cannot seek shelter inside, stay away from open water, tractors, farm or lawn equipment and small vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles and golf carts. Do not stand under tall isolated trees or telephone polls. Avoid hilltops and open areas and stay away from wire fences, clothes lines, metal pipes and railings.

ENGINEERING HURRICANE PROTECTION

UAB engineers are working to develop new building materials to protect people and property from storms as powerful as Category 5 hurricanes. “Improved windstorm and related hazard-reduction measures have the potential over the next 10 years to reduce life and property losses, which will only increase if steps are not taken to help coastal communities reduce their vulnerability,” says UAB damage mitigation expert Nasim Uddin, Ph.D. One material Uddin and his team are working on is externally bonded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, which are stronger than concrete and can withstand hurricane-force winds, bullets and even explosions. Uddin is organizing an NSF-funded international workshop on disaster mitigation construction in Bangladesh, currently the world’s foremost natural disaster-prone country, in December 2005.

TALKING TO CHILDREN ABOUT IVAN

Jerry Aldridge, Ed.D., is a professor of early childhood education and the author and co-author of more than 100 journal articles and eight books, including “Children’s Fears of War and Terrorism: A Resource for Teachers and Parents,” (2003), which provides adults with advice on how to help children deal with their fears resulting from war at home or abroad. Aldridge is former president of the United States National Committee for the World Organization for Early Childhood Education. He teaches in the UAB School of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

CHECK ON ELDERLY

When bad weather strikes, it is important to check on the elderly in the community because aging issues like mental acuity and mobility problems could affect how older people adapt to a changed environment, according to Andrew Duxbury, M.D., a UAB geriatrician. “Because of slowed mental processes, they may not react as quickly to a dangerous situation or perhaps they are not mobile enough to get up and seek safe shelter.” Duxbury also said those elderly family members displaced from nursing homes, rehab facilities and home health environments should be okay for a couple of days if staying with family members, so long as family members are keeping an attentive eye on them and making sure they are taking all of their medications. “Watch for any obvious changes. If their condition deteriorates, contact the physician who is familiar with their care. If that person is not available, contact your own personal physician or someone in the health care system who knows you and explain the situation.”

TIPS FOR DEALING WITH STRESS BEFORE AND AFTER IVAN

UAB psychologist Joshua Klapow, Ph.D., offers the following tips for dealing with stress before and after Ivan:

• The more people can prepare for the storm, the lower their stress levels will be. Stocking up on supplies and food is a way to channel the stress.
  
  
• Open communication is key for dealing with stress. Express how you are feeling through prayer or talking with friends and family.
  
  
• After the storm, try to get back to your daily routine as much as you can and as quickly as you can.
  
  
• Pay attention to your physical health. Try to eat properly and get as much rest as possible. People will be running on adrenaline over the next few days, but afterward, they may experience fatigue.
  
  
• Most importantly, band together with friends and family. Support is critical during this time.

MAKING SENSE OF IT ALL

A storm like Hurricane Ivan can induce severe psychological effects in persons in or near the storm’s path. The UAB Department of Psychiatry says there are ways to help cope with the fears and anxiety a storm such as Ivan can produce:

• These incidents are highly visible and disturbing, but they are relatively isolated events in a country of close to 300 million people.
  
• Act on facts, not fear or speculation.
  
• Take control of what you can. Stay out of heavily damaged areas.
  
• Avoid overexposure to news rebroadcasts of the events.
  
• Keep informed about new information and developments.

Most people survive disasters without developing significant psychological problems. It is particularly important to listen to children, accept their fears and speak with them.

• Reassure your child that they are safe from harm and are being protected.
  
• Reassure them that the state and federal government, the police, the doctors and hospitals are doing everything possible to help people hurt by this tragedy.
  
• Let them know that in time our state will recover from this tragedy.
  
• If you are frightened, tell your child. Don’t minimize the danger, but also talk about your ability to cope with your anxiety and continue with your life.