Hurricane Preparedness

Here are some important aspects of Hurricane Preparedness, but these are not the only steps you should follow in preparing for a hurricane. Please visit the websites listed after this section for more in-depth instructions and advise.

Index
Making a Disaster Supply Kit
Making a Family Plan for Disasters and Emergencies
Dangers to Water Supply
Boil Water
Carbon Monoxide Dangers
Avoiding Dehydration
Flooding
Food Safety
Heat Exhaustion
Medications
Families with Special Needs
Precautions Can Help Prevent a Heart Attack
Feeding Infants
Fish Kill
Hand Washing Can Prevent Illness
Safety Tips for Home Repair
Mold in Water Damaged Buildings
Preventing Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Preventing Food-borne diseases
Tetanus Vaccine

Making a Disaster Supply Kit
A disaster supply kit for your home or an evacuation should include items in six basic areas: (1) water, (2) food, (3) first aid supplies and medications, (4) clothing and bedding, (5) tools and emergency supplies, and (6) important family documents.
You will need the kit’s supplies if you are confined to your home. They are also valuable if you evacuate to a place other than a well-stocked shelter or if you’re unsure of the shelter’s supplies.

TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR KIT
·Keep loose items in airtight plastic bags.
·Gather the kit’s items in easy-to-carry containers or duffle bags. Put them within reach, near the exit you use most often.
·Check and update your kit and family needs at least once a year.

TIPS FOR WATER & FOOD
1. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water daily. Heat and intense activity can double this amount. Children, nursing mothers and those with special needs may require more.
2. Food preparation and sanitation require another two quarts (minimum) per person daily.
3. Purchased bottled water that has been sealed is best for storage. It meets FDA guidelines for food, is not as vulnerable to temperature changes as unsealed water and has no shelf life. (Some bottles do have expiration dates, but this is mainly for inventory control.) If for any reason you must disinfect water, use unscented bleach in the ratio of 8 drops per quart, about ¼ teaspoon, and let the mixture sit 30 minutes before use.
4. Choose compact, lightweight foods that do not require refrigeration, cooking or preparation and foods that use little or no water.
5. Hand washing with soap and water is extremely important. However, in the event water for hand washing is unavailable, use alcohol-based sanitizer.

WATER & FOOD
 Pack a three-day supply.
 one gallon of water per person per day
 Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
 Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
 Powdered milk
 Canned juices
 High-energy snacks
 Comfort/stress foods
 Food for infants
 Food for individuals with special needs
 Pedialyte (to restore hydration if needed)
 Mess kits or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
 Non-electric can opener, utility knife

TOOLS & EMERGENCY SUPPLIES
 Cash or traveler’s checks, coins
 Map of the area for locating shelters
 Battery-operated radio, extra batteries
 Flashlight, extra batteries
 Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type
 Pliers
 Compass
 Signal flare
 Whistle
 Shut-off wrench to turn off household water and/or gas
 Tube tent
 Plastic sheeting
 Plastic storage containers
 Plastic bucket with tight lid
 Plastic garbage bags and ties for sanitation
 Tape (duct, masking)
 Candles
 Matches in a waterproof container
 Paper, pencil
 Needles, thread
 Medicine dropper
 Aluminum foil
 Toilet paper, towelettes
 Towels
 Soap, liquid detergent
 Disinfectant
 Unscented household chlorine bleach
 Feminine supplies
 Personal hygiene items
 Infant supplies (diapers, bottles and pacifiers)

CLOTHING & BEDDING
Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
 Sturdy shoes, work boots, hats and gloves
 Blankets or sleeping bags
 Rain gear
 Extra prescription glasses, sunglasses

FIRST AID KIT
Assemble a first aid kit containing these items for your home and one for each car. Keep ready a three-day supply of each person’s vital medications to include in the kit.
 Prescription drugs
 Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4–6)
 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4–6)
 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
 Triangular bandages (3)
 Latex gloves (at least 2 pairs)
 Cleansing agent, soap and moistened towelettes
 Antiseptic
 Petroleum jelly or other lubricant
 Assorted sizes of safety pins
 Scissors
 Tweezers
 Needle
 Thermometer
 Tongue depressors (2)
 Non-prescription drugs
 Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
 Anti-diarrhea medication
 Antacid
 Laxative
 Antibiotic ointment
 Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
 Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
 Sunscreen
 Mosquito repellent, with DEET when appropriate

IMPORTANT FAMILY DOCUMENTS
Keep copies of records in a waterproof, portable container.
 Wills
 Insurance policies
 Contracts and deeds
 Stocks and bonds
 Social Security cards
 Passports
 Immunization records
 Bank account numbers
 Credit card account numbers and company names and telephone numbers
 Inventory of valuable household goods
 Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
 Current photographs of family members
 Prescriptions

For more information on emergency preparation visit the DOH website at www.doh.state.fl.us or www.FloridaDisaster.org.

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Making a Family Plan for Disasters and Emergencies
Evaluate
§Identify potential threats in your community, such as the location of floodprone areas, power plants and hazardous chemicals.
§Discuss how natural and man-made threats could affect your family.
§Evaluate your property’s vulnerability to hazards, such as storm surge, flooding, wildfire and wind.
§Check your insurance coverage.

Prepare
§Identify the safest areas of your home for each threat. In many circumstances, the safest area may not be your home but elsewhere in your community. During times of evacuation you will be given instructions on evacuation routes.
§Specify escape routes from your home and places to meet (rally points), such as a neighbor’s home, a school or a public location.
§Make a plan for evacuating the area if required.
§Designate an out-of-area contact—friend or family member—so that each of your immediate family members has the same single point of contact. Plan to have at least two means of communication (e.g., e-mail, phone and cell phone).
§Make a plan for your pets should you need to evacuate. Most shelters will accept service animals.
§Have your Family Emergency Information accessible, including important family documents such as prescriptions and insurance information.
§Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.Make sure any cell phones are fully charged.
§Assemble and maintain a disaster supply kit. A battery-powered weather radio equipped with a special alarm tone feature is a vital tool. During an emergency, National Weather Service forecasters will interrupt routine weather radio programming and send out the special tone that activates weather radios in the listening area.

Monitor and Act
§When a disaster occurs, listen to news sources for information and instructions.
§Evacuate or seek medical attention quickly if authorities tell you to do so. If you can get no information, determine as best you can if you are in a danger area.
§Whether you stay or evacuate, don’t panic. Follow your family plan.
For further information, please contact your local county health department or visit www.doh.state.fl.us or www.FloridaDisaster.org.
For more state and federal information on emergency and disaster planning: www.floridadisaster.org, www.redcross.org, www.ready.gov, www.fema.gov or call your local Red Cross office.


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Dangers to Water Supply
Hurricanes, especially if accompanied by a tidal surge or flooding, can contaminate the public water supply. Drinking contaminated water may cause illness. Individuals cannot assume that the water in the hurricane-affected area is safe to drink.
In the area hit by a hurricane, water treatment plants may not be operating. Even if they are, storm damage and flooding can contaminate water lines. Listen for public announcements about the safety of the municipal water supply.
If your well has been flooded, it needs to be tested and disinfected after the storm passes and the floodwaters recede. Questions about testing should be directed to your local or state health department.

Water for Drinking and Cooking
Safe drinking water includes bottled, boiled or treated water. Your state or local health department can make specific recommendations for boiling or treating drinking water in your area. Here are some general rules concerning water for drinking and cooking. Remember:
§ Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food or make ice.
§ If you use bottled water, know where it came from. Otherwise, water should be boiled or treated before use. Drink only bottled, boiled or treated water until your supply is tested and found safe.
§ Boiling water kills harmful bacteria and parasites. Bringing water to a rolling boil for 1 minute will kill most organisms.
§ Water may be treated with chlorine or iodine tablets or by mixing eight drops (1/4 teaspoon) of unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach (5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water. Mix the solution thoroughly, and let stand for about 30 minutes. However, this treatment will not kill parasitic organisms.
Containers for water should be rinsed with a bleach solution before reusing them. Use water storage tanks and other types of containers with caution. For example, fire truck storage tanks as well as previously used cans or bottles may be contaminated with microbes or chemicals. Do not rely on untested devices for decontaminating water.

Is it Safe Now?
The only way to verify that the water is safe to drink is to have it tested. Although chlorine bleach is effective against microorganisms, it will not remove chemical contamination that may have gotten into your well. Contact your county health department for sampling instructions to get your water tested.

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Boil Water
Whenever there is a Boil Water advise,
DOH recommends one of the following:
§Boil the water before use, holding it in a rolling boil for one minute.
§Disinfect it by adding 8 drops of plain unscented household bleach per gallon of water, and then let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy after 30 minutes, repeat the procedure.
§Use bottled water for drinking.
After the flooding subsides:
§Disinfect your well using the procedures available from your local health department or provided on the MyFlorida web page at: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/water/manual/floodinf.htm; and
§Have your water tested by your local health department or by a laboratory certified by the state to perform a drinking water analysis.

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Carbon Monoxide Dangers
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas, and is highly poisonous. Depending on the level of exposure, CO may cause fatigue, weakness, chest pains for those with heart disease, shortness of breath upon exertion, nausea, vomiting, headaches, confusion, lack of coordination, impaired vision, loss of consciousness, and in severe cases, death.
DOH recommends the following precautions to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
§ Do not burn charcoal or gas grills inside a house, garage, vehicle, tent or fireplace.
§ Do not use gas-powered generators or pressure washers indoors, not even in the garage.
§ If you suspect you are experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning, open doors and windows, turn off gas appliances and go outside. In cases of severe CO poisoning, call 911 emergency services or the nearest Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222.
§ For more information about indoor air quality, contact the Florida Department of Health's Indoor Air Toxics Hotline at 800-543-8279 or visit the Department of Health website at www.doh.state.fl.us.

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Avoiding Dehydration
To avoid becoming dehydrated, it is important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water. This is particularly true on days when temperatures reach 90 degree Fahrenheit and higher. Do not wait until you get thirsty; drink prevent thirst.

§Babies from birth – 6 months: usually only need breast milk or formula. On hot days infants should only be offered a maximum of 4 ounces per day of sterilized water from a bottle.
§Babies from 6 – 12 months: breast or formula-fed babies receive some foods and juices that contain water. They may be offered 2-4 ounces of juice from a cup each day. In addition, on hot days they should be given a maximum of 4-8 ounces of sterilized water each day.
§Children 12 months and older: need 64 ounces or more of fluid each day. They should be reminded to drink juice and water throughout the day and encouraged to drink even more on hot days.
§Adults should drink: 64 ounces of water each day (½ gallon).
When exposed to temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit and higher, they should drink even more water.
For further information, please contact your local county health department or visit www.doh.state.fl.us or www.FloridaDisaster.org.

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Flooding
Moving Flood Water
During flooding, the greatest threat comes from moving water. The deeper the moving water, the greater the threat. People should avoid driving in moving water, regardless of the size of their vehicle.
Pooling Flood Water
Heavy rain causes flood waters to rise and pool on streets and throughout neighborhoods. In these situations, be aware of the following:
§Road surfaces become obscured, and drivers can unknowingly steer into a deep body of water, such as a canal or pond.
§Electricity from streetlights and power poles may be conducted through standing water, causing a deadly shock to anyone coming in contact with it.
§Children playing in contaminated standing water can become sick or be bitten by snakes or floating insects.
§People coming into contact with floodwater should thoroughly rinse any exposed body parts with soap and clean water.
Contaminated Water Supply
Drinking contaminated water may cause illness. You cannot assume that the water in the hurricane-affected area is safe to drink. Listen to local announcements on safety of the water supply.
If your public water system lost pressure, a boil water notice will likely be issued for your area. People in these areas should take precautions to avoid contaminated water, especially individuals with private wells. If your well is in a flooded area, your water may contain disease-causing organisms and may not be safe to drink.


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Food Safety
In the case of an electrical outage, it is important to take careful precautions to ensure food safety. The risk of food poisoning is heightened when refrigerators and ovens are inaccessible; discard any food that has been at room temperature for two hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
Just remember, When in doubt, throw it out!
People can practice safe food handling and prevent foodborne illness by following simple steps:
§A full cooler will maintain its cold temperatures longer than one that is partially filled, so it is important to pack plenty of extra ice or freezer packs to insure a constant cold temperature. If available, 25 pounds of dry ice will keep a ten-cubic-foot freezer below freezing for 3-4 days. Use care when handling dry ice, and wear dry, heavy gloves to avoid injury.
§Thawed food can usually be eaten if it is still "refrigerator cold," or re-frozen if it still contains ice crystals.
§Eggs and other foods need to be stored in 40 degrees Fahrenheit or slightly below. Do not eat foods that may have spoiled.
§Wash your hands before preparing or eating food, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, after handling uncooked food, after playing with a pet, after handling garbage, after tending to someone who is sick or injured, after blowing your nose, and after coughing or sneezing.
§Fight “cross-contamination,” the transfer of harmful bacteria to food from other foods, cutting boards or utensils. Never place any type of food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry or seafood.
§When grilling foods, preheat the coals on your grill for 20 – 30 minutes, or until the coals are lightly coated with ash.
§Use a meat thermometer to insure that food reaches a safe internal temperature.
§Hamburgers and ground poultry should be cooked to 160o F.
§Poultry parts: 170° F.
§Roasts, steaks and other large cuts of beef: 145° F. (rare) and 160o F (medium).
§Fish – should be cooked until the meat is opaque and flakes easily.

For additional food safety information, call the toll-free USDA/FSIS Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854. Food safety specialists (both English and Spanish speaking) are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT on weekdays year-round. Or, for more safety information visit www.fsis.usda.gov, www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/holiday.html, www.fightbac.org/holiday_fact.cfm, or www.eatturkey.com/consumer/main.html.


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Heat Exhaustion
Warning Signs of Heat Exhaustion include the following:
·Heavy sweating
·Paleness
·Muscle cramps
·Tiredness
·Weakness
·Dizziness
·Headache
·Nausea or vomiting
·Fainting
The skin may be cool and moist. The victim's pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow. If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke. Seek medical attention immediately if any of the following occurs:
·Symptoms are severe.
·The victim has heart problems or high blood pressure.
Otherwise, help the victim to cool off and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than one hour.
What To Do
Cooling measures that may be effective include the following:
§Cool, nonalcoholic beverages, as directed by your physician
§Rest
§Cool shower, bath, or sponge bath
§An air-conditioned environment
§ Lightweight clothing
For further information, please visit www.doh.state.fl.us or contact your local county health department. Information is also available at www.FloridaDisaster.org.

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Medications
In the event of a hurricane, you may need to evacuate your home and regular services may be temporarily limited. To ensure that you are able to continue taking your medications under such circumstances, the Department of Health recommends that you plan now by taking the following measures:

§Call your doctor now and request a 30 day supply of medication if possible.
§Get a pill organizer and pack enough pills for two weeks- get assistance in this from your caregiver or medical professional in making sure you have packed enough of the medications you will need.
§Make a list of all your medications: how they should be taken, what time, etc. Make copies of the list. Put one copy with the medications; give one to a friend, and keep one with you at all times. Make sure to list any allergies, as well as foods you need to avoid. Your doctor’s name and emergency phone number should also be on this list. Your medical professional or caregiver should be able to assist you in this.
§Pack your medications now to have ready to carry with you at a moment’s notice.
§If you are taking prescription narcotic pain medications, keep them with you at all times.
§If you are on a special diet or require special supplements, bring them with you.
§Over the counter items that you should also bring with you: Pain reliever/ ibuprofen, antacid, laxative/suppository, Imodium, benadryl, decongestant, antibiotic ointment, lubricating eye drops.
§If you are using respiratory medications with a nebulizer, bring it with you.
For more information, visit the Department of Health website at www.doh.state.fl.us.


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Families with Special Needs
Those who have family members with special needs must take extra measures to ensure their preparedness. The following are suggestions from the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Families with special needs must carefully assess their options. They should ask themselves the following questions:
§Can we manage the entire needs of our family for three days with little or no outside assistance?
§Can we meet any crisis or emergency on our own for that period of time?
§Can we make decisions concerning our special needs without consultation or help for three days?
§Do we have the supplies and equipment to meet our special needs for three days?

If the answer is “no” to any of the above questions, families must seriously consider evacuation from their homes in the event of a disaster. Advance preparation should include how to evacuate and where to relocate. Many areas have “special needs shelters” that are equipped with medical staff and specialized equipment. In your preparation, check the shelters in your area and become familiar with their locations, procedures and policies concerning how many people are allowed to accompany the family member with special needs.
For more information about shelters, call your local Red Cross office, or contact your local county emergency management office to pre-register for a special needs shelter.
numbers.

Supplies to Consider for Special Needs Individuals
§For respirators, other electric-dependent medical equipment or oxygen—make prior arrangements with your physician or check with your oxygen supplier about emergency plans
§Two-week stock of disposable supplies such as dressings, nasal cannulas, suction catheters, etc.
§Two-week supply of medications, prescription and non-prescription
§Electrical backup for medical equipment
§Copies of prescriptions for medical equipment, supplies and medications—ask your physician or pharmacist about proper storing of prescription medications
§Contact lenses and supplies
§Extra eyeglasses
§Extra batteries for hearing aids, communication devices.


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Precautions Can Help Prevent a Heart Attack
WARNING SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
§Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
§ Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
§ Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
§ Other signs: Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

WHAT TO DO:
If you or someone you know has chest discomfort, slow down and take deep breaths.

If the pain persists, especially with one or more of the warning signs, don't wait longer than a few minutes before calling for help. Seek medical attention. If oxygen is available use it while seeking medical attention.

For further information, please contact your local county health department, or visit www.doh.state.fl.us or www.FloridaDisaster.org.

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Feeding Infants
Breastfeeding
· Mothers who are breastfeeding should continue breastfeeding. Mother’s milk has everything a baby needs to grow well in the first six months of life.
· Mothers who are using both breast and bottle should breastfeed as much as possible in place of bottle-feeding.
· Formula should only be used when mothers are unable to breastfeed.

Feeding with Infant Formula
· Infant formula should be prepared according to the directions on the formula can and as instructed by the baby’s health care provider.
· All baby bottles and nipples must be washed and sterilized before each use. If this is not possible, then single-serve, ready-to-feed bottles of formula must be used with a sterilized nipple.
· Ready-to-feed formula doesn’t need mixing and water should not be added. Just remember that once a can of ready-to-feed formula is opened it must be refrigerated and should be used within 24 hours or as specified on the infant formula label.
· Always boil water before mixing concentrated liquid or powdered formula. Boiling water is the best way to make water safe to drink. Cold tap water or bottled water (except sterilized bottled water) must be boiled vigorously for 1 minute, allowed to cool, and then mixed with powdered or concentrated liquid formula following directions on the formula label. Once formula is mixed, it must be refrigerated and used within 24 hours or as specified on the formula label. If refrigeration is not available, mix formula each time baby is ready to eat and then discard whatever formula is let over.
· Sterilized bottled water does not need to be boiled before mixing with concentrated liquid or powdered formula.
· If unable to boil water, water may be sterilized by mixing 8 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach per gallon of water (2 drops per quart). Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes before use.
· Never use a microwave oven to warm infant formula. Microwave ovens do not heat the formula evenly and there may be hot spots that could burn the baby.

For further information, please contact your local county health department or visit www.doh.state.fl.us or www.FloridaDisaster.org.

For more state and federal information on emergency and disaster planning: www.floridadisaster.org, www.redcross.org, www.ready.gov, www.fema.gov or call your local Red Cross office.

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Fish Kill
As hurricanes sweep across the Gulf of Mexico and into the Florida panhandle the large amount of rainfall and wind disturbed the natural balance of nutrients in the water causing “fish kill,” the mass death of marine life. It is important to be aware of the issues that contact with decomposing fish in contaminated water pose. it is vital that researchers determine the causes of each fish kill, whether it is from low dissolved oxygen from an algal bloom or from toxins released from a harmful algal bloom, which may also affect human health.

Moving Flood Water
During flooding, the greatest threat comes from moving water. The deeper the moving water, the greater the threat. People should avoid driving in moving water, regardless of the size of their vehicle.

Contaminated Water Supply
Consumption of deceased fish due to contaminated water may cause severe illness. You cannot assume that anything found in water in the hurricane-affected area is safe to consume. Listen to local announcements on safety of the water and food supply.

DOH recommends one of the following:
After the storm subsides:
· Have your water tested by your local health department, or by a laboratory certified by the State to do drinking water analyses.

Contaminated Items
There is no way to safely clean objects if they have come in contact with contaminated flood waters. Avoid polluted items.

Hygiene
Basic hygiene is very important during an emergency period. Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected and cooled before eating, after toilet use, after participating in cleanup activities, and after handling articles contaminated by floodwater or sewage.

For further information, please contact your local county health department or visit www.doh.state.fl.us or www.FloridaDisaster.org.


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Hand Washing Can Prevent Illness
To help prevent the spread of disease that can cause illness, it is important to wash your hands often. Germs are spread when people forget to wash their hands, or don’t wash their hands correctly.
Basic hygiene is very important during an emergency period. Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected and cooled before eating, after toilet use, after participating in cleanup activities, and after handling articles contaminated by floodwater or sewage.

When Should You Wash Your Hands?
· After you: Go to the bathroom, change a diaper, blow your nose, cough, sneeze, handle uncooked food, touch pets, handle garbage, tend to someone sick or injured.
· Before you: Prepare food, treat a cut or wound, insert or remove contact lenses.

How Should You Wash Your Hands?
How you wash your hands is just as important as when you wash them. Just rinsing them quickly is not enough.
· Use soap and warm running water
· Wash all surfaces thoroughly, including wrists, palms, back of hands, fingers and under fingernails
· Rub hands together for at least 10-15 seconds and then rinse
· Dry with a clean and/or disposable towel
· Use the towel to turn off the water faucet
· If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used
For further information, please contact your local county health department or visit www.doh.state.fl.us or www.FloridaDisaster.org.


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Safety Tips for Home Repair
The danger of a storm does not end when it passes. As Florida citizens affected by the recent hurricanes return to their homes and begin repairs, the Department of Health suggests taking the following safety precautions to prevent personal injury:
· If possible, work in pairs or groups.
· Take short breaks and work during the cooler hours of the day.
· Wear goggles, heavy gloves and steel-toed boots.
· Immediately clean all open wounds and cuts with soap and clean water. Cuts beyond minor scratches may require medical attention.
· Never assume that water-damaged structures are safe; leave immediately if shifting or unusual noises occur.
· Avoid lifting more than 50 pounds of debris or building materials. Two or more people should move bulky objects.
· Avoid heat stroke and heat exhaustion by wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and drinking a glass of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes.
· Only experienced individuals should use chain saws and specialized equipment. When using chain saws or other heavy equipment, wear earplugs.
· To prevent electrocution in wet areas, turn power off at the main breaker.
· Never handle a downed power line.
· Never bring gasoline- or diesel-powered pumps, generators or pressure washers indoors as they release carbon monoxide – a deadly, colorless, odorless gas.
· Set priorities for clean-up tasks and pace the work over several days or weeks.
· Avoid exhaustion by taking frequent rest breaks and resuming a normal sleep schedule as soon as possible.
· Take advantage of disaster relief programs and services in your community.
For more information, visit the Department of Health website at www.doh.state.fl.us.

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Mold in Water Damaged Buildings
Moisture that enters buildings from leaks or flooding accelerates mold growth. Molds can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions and continue to damage materials long after the storm. Failure to control moisture and mold can present short and long- term health risks.

TO PROTECT AGAINST HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MOLD:
§Remove standing water from your home or office.
§Remove wet materials.
§If mold growth has already occurred, carefully remove or clean the moldy material.
§Consider using personal protective equipment when cleaning or removing mold – gloves, goggles and an N-95 particle respirator (found at most local hardware stores). Check with a health care provider before wearing a respirator. Do not use a respirator if you have heart disease or chronic lung disease such as asthma or emphysema.
§ Individuals with known mold allergies or asthma should not clean or remove moldy materials.

Remember to not mix cleaners and disinfectants, as hazardous gases may produce hazardous chemical reactions. Read and follow label instructions carefully. Open windows and doors to provide plenty of fresh air.
For more information about indoor air quality and mold growth, contact your local county health department, the Florida Department of Health's Indoor Air Toxics Hotline at 800-543-8279 or visit the Department of Health website at www.doh.state.fl.us and select “mold” from the subject list.

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Preventing Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Due to floodwaters from hurricanes, Florida Department of Health (DOH) officials emphasize the importance of Florida’s residents and visitors protecting themselves against mosquito-borne diseases.
DOH continues to advise the public to remain diligent in their personal mosquito protection efforts. These should include the “5 D’s and 1 S” for prevention:
· Dusk and Dawn -- Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are seeking blood. For many species, this is during the dusk and dawn hours.
· Dress -- Wear clothing that covers all your skin.
· DEET -- When the potential exists for exposure to mosquitoes, repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, or N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) are recommended. Products with concentrations up to 30 percent DEET are generally recommended. It is not recommended to use DEET on children younger than 2 months old. Infants should be kept indoors or mosquito netting should be used over carriers when mosquitoes are present. If additional protection is necessary, apply a permethrin repellent directly to your clothing. Always read the manufacturer's directions carefully before you put on a repellent.
· Drainage -- Check your home to rid it of standing water, which is where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
· Screens -- Make sure that windows remain closed or are sealed completely by screens at night.

Tips on Eliminating Mosquito Breeding Sites
Elimination of breeding sites is one of the keys to prevention.
· Clean out eaves, troughs and gutters.
· Remove old tires or drill holes in those used in playgrounds to drain.
· Turn over or remove empty plastic pots.
· Pick up all beverage containers and cups.
· Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect water.
· Pump out bilges on boats.
· Replace water in birdbaths and pet or other animal feeding dishes at least once a week.
· Change water in plant trays, including hanging plants, at least once a week.
· Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that prevent the flow of water.

Symptoms of West Nile virus may include headache, fever, fatigue, dizziness, weakness and confusion. Physicians should contact their county health department if they suspect an individual may have a mosquito-borne illness. DOH laboratories provide testing services for physicians treating patients with clinical signs of mosquito-borne disease.
DOH continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito borne illnesses, including West Nile (WN) virus, Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE), St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE), malaria and dengue. For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses, visit DOH’s Environmental Health Web site at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/hsee/arbo/index.htm, call the West Nile Virus Hotline at 1-888-880-5782.

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Preventing Food-borne diseases
· The Department of Health advises that individuals should not eat any food that may have come into contact with contaminated water from floods or tidal surges.
· Commercially prepared cans of food should not be eaten if there is a bulging or opening on the can or the screw caps, soda pop bottle tops or twist-caps.
· Undamaged, commercially canned foods can be saved if you remove the labels and then disinfect the cans in a bleach solution. Use ¼ cup of bleach in one gallon of water; re-label the cans including expiration date and type of food. Assume that home-canned food is unsafe.
· Infants should be fed only pre-prepared canned baby formula. Do not use powdered formulas prepared with treated water. Use boiled water when preparing formula.
· Frozen and refrigerated foods can be unsafe after a hurricane. When the power is out, refrigerators will keep foods cool for only about four hours. Thawed food can usually be eaten only if it is still "refrigerator cold."

Sanitation and Hygiene: Preventing waterborne illness
· Basic hygiene is very important during this emergency period. Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected before eating, after toilet use, after participating in cleanup activities and after handling articles contaminate the floodwater or sewage.
· Flooding that occurs after the hurricane may mean that water contains fecal matter from sewage systems, agricultural and industrial waste and septic tanks. If you have open cuts or sores exposed to the floodwater, keep them as clean as possible by washing them with soap and clean water. Apply antibiotic ointment to reduce the risk of infection. If a wound or sore develops redness, swelling or drainage, see a physician.
· Do not allow children to play in floodwater. They can be exposed to water contaminated with fecal matter. Do not allow children to play with toys that have been in floodwater until the toys have been disinfected. Use ¼ cup of bleach in one gallon of water.

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Tetanus Vaccine
With the amount of debris left by Hurricanes, Floridians working on clean-up efforts could be at risk of sustaining injuries. Below is information on who may or may not need to receive a vaccination.
· Residents who sustain lacerations and/or puncture wounds and have not had a tetanus vaccination within the past 10 years require a tetanus booster.
· If a person has an especially serious wound, then it is advised that he/she receive a tetanus booster within five years of last vaccination.
· If you sustain a wound or deep cut that concerns you, seek medical attention. Medical attention is required to determine if a tetanus booster is needed.
· Proper wound care is essential for all cuts and lacerations regardless of exposure to flood waters.
· Individuals who have not had a cut or wound do not require tetanus vaccination regardless of their exposure to flood waters.
What is tetanus?
Tetanus, commonly called lockjaw, is a bacterial disease that affects the nervous system. It is contracted through a cut or wound that becomes contaminated with tetanus bacteria. The bacteria can get in through even a tiny pinprick or scratch, but deep puncture wounds or cuts like those made by nails, knives or barbed-wire, for example are especially susceptible to infection with tetanus. Tetanus bacteria are present worldwide and are commonly found in soil, dust and manure. Infection with tetanus causes severe muscle spasms, leading to "locking" of the jaw so the patient cannot open his/her mouth or swallow, and may even lead to death by suffocation. Tetanus is not transmitted from person to person.
Symptoms
Common first signs of tetanus are headache and muscular stiffness in the jaw (lockjaw) followed by stiffness of the neck, difficulty in swallowing, rigidity of abdominal muscles, spasms, sweating and fever. Symptoms usually begin 8 days after the infection, but may range in onset from 3 days to 3 weeks.

Individuals, deployed to work on recovery efforts, are encouraged to contact their primary care provider or local CHD prior to deployment if they feel they need a tetanus shot. For more information on tetanus, contact your local county health department or visit the Department of Health website at www.doh.state.fl.us.

For updated and in-depth information about the hurricane season, please visit these sites:

National Hurricane Center
www.nhc.noaa.gov

Florida Division of Emergency Management
http://www.floridadisaster.org

State of Florida
http://www.my florida.com


Florida Department of Health: County Health Departments
http://www.doh.state.fl.us


Florida Division of Emergency Management
http://www.floridadisaster.org


American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org


Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
http://www.fema.gov


National Weather Service
http://www.nws.noaa.gov


U.S. Department of Homeland Security
www.ready.gov
http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov


USDA Food Safety and Consumer Information
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/consedu.htm


Food Safety.gov (part of the National Food Safety Information Network)
http://www.foodsafety.gov


National Flood Insurance Program
1-800-427-4661

If you want to receive by US mail a copy of the Family Preparedness Guide, which includes advise and tips on how to cope with natural and man-made threats, please contact us at: olga_connor@doh.state.fl.us. The Family Preparedness Guide is available in English, Spanish and Creole languages.