Power outages, flooding, and sewage can create health hazards around your home.
2024 KPHD Logo [ www.kitsappublichealth.org ]
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public health news
*Nov. 4, 2024* *Información en español [ [link removed] ]*
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stormwater over a roadway
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Six tips for staying safe and healthy during storms
"*Power outages, flooding, and sewage can create health hazards around your home. *"
Here are quick tips for staying healthy and safe during fall and winter storms. Visit our *Storms page [ [link removed] ]* for full information.
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*Only run generators outdoors. *Running a generator in an enclosed space, like a garage, can cause _carbon monoxide poisoning_ [ [link removed] ] and death.
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*When the power is out, don't assume food in your fridge is safe to eat. *After losing electricity, a refrigerator will _keep food safe for about four hours_ [ [link removed] ]. A full freezer will keep food safe for about two days. Eating food that's been too warm for too long can make you sick. When in doubt, throw it out!
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*If the area around your well is flooded, your drinking water might not be safe to drink.* If you do not have bottled water to drink, youcan _purify water_ [ [link removed] ] by boiling it or adding bleach (1/4 teaspoon of bleach for one gallon of water). See our _storms page_ [ [link removed] ] for detailed instructions.
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*Give your septic system a break during heavy rains. *A _flooded septic drainfield_ [ [link removed] ] can cause your septic system to fail and create a smelly, dangerous mess. You can ease the strain on your septic system by using less water in your house. Simple steps like spacing out showers and laundry loads can help reduce the amount of water draining into your system.
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*Floodwater can make you sick. *In addition to being dangerous to drive or walk through, _floodwater can spread germs_ [ [link removed] ] and chemicals. Avoid touching floodwater and wash your hands with soap and clean water if you do have contact with floodwater.
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*Hold off harvesting shellfish. *Stormwater can carry pollution onto the shoreline, making clams, oysters and other shellfish unsafe to eat. Avoid harvesting shellfish after heavy rains. Always check the _state shellfish safety map_ [ [link removed] ] to be aware of other shellfish advisories.
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More resources
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_Kitsap Public Health Storms & Flooding page_ [ [link removed] ]
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_Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management_ [ [link removed] ]
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_Washington State Department of Health Severe Weather & Natural Disasters page_ [ [link removed] ]
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_CDC Natural Disasters & Severe Weather page_ [ [link removed] ]
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*Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer*
Kitsap Public Health District
360-728-2330 - office | 360-728-2235 - main
[email protected] | kitsappublichealth.org [ [link removed] ]
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