What to look out for when flood waters enter your home

(WXYZ) — There are several risks associated with standing in or having flood waters in your home.

• Live coverage: Flooding across metro Detroit causing major problems
• Dearborn Heights asks state for emergency declaration

According to the CDC, flood waters and standing waters pose various risks, including infectious diseases, chemical hazards and injuries.

Here are several things from the CDC website to keep in mind as you navigate flooding throughout metro Detroit.

• PHOTOS: FLASH FLOODING ACROSS METRO DETROIT

Infectious/Diarrheal Diseases

Eating or drinking anything contaminated by flood water can cause diarrheal disease. To protect yourself and your family:

• Practice good hygiene (handwashing) after contact with flood waters.
• Do not allow children to play in flood water areas.
• Wash children’s hands frequently (always before meals).
• Do not allow children to play with toys that have been contaminated by flood water and have not been disinfected.

Wound Infections

Open wounds and rashes exposed to flood waters can become infected. To protect yourself and your family:

• Avoid exposure to flood waters if you have an open wound.
• Cover clean, open wounds with a waterproof bandage to reduce chance of infection.
• Keep open wounds as clean as possible by washing well with soap and clean water.
• If a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek immediate medical attention.

Chemical Hazards

Be aware of potential chemical hazards during floods. Flood waters may have moved hazardous chemical containers of solvents or other industrial chemicals from their normal storage places.

• CDC. Protect Yourself from Chemicals Released During a Natural Disaster
• CDC. Chemical Emergencies

Injuries

Drowning

Flood water poses drowning risks for everyone, regardless of their ability to swim. Swiftly moving shallow water can be deadly, and even shallow standing water can be dangerous for small children.

Vehicles do not provide adequate protection from flood waters. They can be swept away or may stall in moving water.

Animal and Insect Bites

Flood waters can displace animals, insects, and reptiles. To protect yourself and your family, be alert and avoid contact.

• CDC. Protect Yourself from Animal- and Insect-Related Hazards After A Disaster

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