Ensuring Health & Safety After Flooding

Ensuring Health & Safety After Flooding

Even as more rain is forecast for flood-ravaged Bay of Plenty today, many of those affected will be starting to turn their minds to how they might approach a clean-up.

BRANZ Ltd, who provide independent research and information resources for the building industry and homeowners, has free Bulletin called ‘Restoring your Home after Flood Damage’ available via their website http://www.branz.co.nz. It is a really good place to start your search for information.

The bulletin provides simple and effective tips on; health and safety, cleaning up the devastation inside and outside, treatment of sub floor spaces, drying the house, testing for moisture and how to deal to repairs.

It also outlines the factors which need to be considered before starting a clean up, such as whether the property presents any immediate danger to the people involved. This can be assessed by checking; - The floodwaters have receded enough to make it safe to enter and remain at the property. - The Electrical Safety Authority has either cut the power supply or checked that the supply and installation is safe. Appliances will need to be individually checked. - The gas supply has been checked and tagged as safe or disconnected. - The house is structurally safe – an engineer, building consultant or experienced builder should confirm this. - The sewage system is safe and presents no health danger to workers cleaning. Flooded septic tanks should be pumped out as soon as possible and the disposal fields cleared of any silt.

The bulletin also provides some handy advice as to ways that homeowners can prepare for flooding, before it occurs.

For quick, efficient expert advice over the phone contact the BRANZ Public Advisory Helpline on 0900 59090. Calls cost $1.99 per minute + GST.

ENDS

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