As Lawrence County residents begin to clean up after recent flooding, officials are offering some safety guidelines. Officials from the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have released these tips on how to safely pump water from basements, clean a home after a flood and how to avoid mold and mildew:

Procedures for pumping a basement to avoid serious damage, collapse or injury

• Begin pumping when floodwaters are no longer covering the ground outside

• Pump the water out one foot at a time, mark the water level and wait overnight

• Check the water level the next day, if the level went back up (covered your mark) it is still too early to drain the basement

• Wait 24 hours, and then pump the water down one foot again, checking the level the next day

• When the water in your basement quits returning to your mark, pump out two or three feet and wait overnight

• Repeat until all the water is out of the basement

Safety precautions should also be taken to avoid injury:

• Never enter a flooded basement unless you are absolutely sure the electricity has been turned off

• Do not use gasoline-powered pumps or generators indoors or in a confined space

• Be cautious around floodwater contaminated by sewage

Cleaning Your Home After a Flood

• Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer if soap is not available after contact with floodwaters. Wash children’s hands frequently, especially before meals.

• Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup of affected area.

• Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed.

• Do not allow children to play with toys that have been contaminated by floodwater and have not been disinfected.

• Remove and discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected (such as, mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, cosmetics, stuffed animals, baby toys, pillows, foam‐rubber items, books, wall coverings, and most paper products).

• Remove and discard drywall and insulation that has been contaminated with sewage or flood waters.

• Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces (such as flooring, concrete, molding, wood and metal furniture, countertops, appliances, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures) with hot water and laundry or dish detergent.

• Help the drying process by using fans, air conditioning units, and dehumidifiers.