Supplied Content
Dr Alistair Humphrey
Christchurch, July 23, 2017
If your home or property was affected by the floods over the past few days, below are some tips to help as you embark on the clean-up.
Contact your insurance company and take photos.
Treat all water as contaminated – so wash your hands thoroughly after you’ve been in contact with floodwaters & mud/silt from inside your house.
Do not move back into a damp house, particularly if you have young children/babies.
If you had a power cut food in your freezer will stay safely frozen for up to 24 hours as long as the freezer door is kept closed. After 24 hours, the food should be discarded.
Please limit the amount of waste water your household is generating i.e. – from flushing the toilet, using the washing machine – as waste-water systems are struggling to cope with the deluge. Even though the rain has stopped in most areas the run-off from hill areas is adding to the floodwaters.
If you are finding it hard to cope now ask friends and family for help, call your usual general practice team – even if it’s after-hours and they’re closed – a nurse is available 24/7 and can provide free health advice
Please check on your neighbours – particularly if they live alone, are elderly or vulnerable.
Check your local council’s website to see if there is has a ‘boil water’ notice in place.
Ashburton
Selwyn – many areas have a ‘boil water’ notice in place, please check for the latest info
http://www.selwyn.govt.nz/home-assets/whats-hot/weater-update
Christchurch
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/newsline/show/1868
Waimakariri
https://www.waimakariri.govt.nz/your-council/media-and-news/2017/07/flooding-updates-saturday
Kaikoura
Dr Alistair Humphrey is Medical Officer of Health at the Canterbury and West Coast District Health Boards based in Christchurch.
