Food and water safety after hurricanes pass

“Water, water everywhere,
and all the boards did shrink.
Water, water everywhere,
but not a drop to drink.”
The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner – Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Health Alert: Food and Water Safety After Hurricanes

Water supplies may have become contaminated after severe storms and hurricanes.

If drinking water is contaminated you will know from an announcement by your local Public Health Department if they issue a “boil water order” when the hurricane passes.

During this time, use only your bottled and/or pre-stored water, or boil your water for at least 10 minutes to kill any disease-causing microorganisms. (Note: pre-stored tap water will only be good for one week!)

To improve the flat taste of boiled water, pour it back and forth from one container to another, let it stand for a few hours or add a pinch of salt for each quart.

If you can’t boil water due to power outages, you can disinfect it using household bleach – 8 drops per gallon – and let it stand for 30 minutes before drinking.

But make sure you filter the water before disinfecting.

USDA Food Safety Guidelines

And for food safety after Hurricane Sandy passes, remember: “when in doubt, throw it out!”

Anything that has been touched by floodwater, even if it appears to be sealed, has been contaminated.

Don’t risk illness. When in doubt, throw it out.

For more information on food and water safety call:

USDA hotline 800-535-4555

Philadelphia Dept. of Health and Safety
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-685-7342
http://www.phila.gov/Health/Environment/InstSanitationSafety.html

NJ Department of Health
Public Health Sanitation and Safety
609-826-4941
http://www.state.nj.us/health/phss/contact.shtml   

And remember, if you’re overwhelmed with flooding from storm water damage from Hurricane Sandy’s visit, you’re not alone! We have our crews ready to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency water extraction, pump outs, and expert drying.
Call PuroClean Emergency Recovery Services at 877-750-7876