4 Flood Water Safety Tips

If you were impacted by recent flooding, make sure to practice caution as flood waters in the street and surrounding areas start to recede, as standing water can cause injuries and spread disease.

Ochsner Health recommends keeping these four safety tips in mind when flooding occurs:

1. Drive safely. Avoid driving through areas with standing water. It can be hard to tell how deep the water is and there's always a chance you could lose control of your vehicle or get stuck. Turn around, don’t drown!
2. Use safe water. Flood water should not be ingested – it could make you very sick! Only use clean, safe water. Monitor local news and if a boil water advisory is issued, boil water before drinking it or using it to cook. Click here for more boil water advisory tips.
3. Watch out for electrical equipment. Be careful when entering flooded areas or touching electrical equipment if the ground is wet. If water has been present anywhere near electrical circuits or electrical equipment, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel.
4. Clean carefully. Anything that flood water touched could carry germs. If water entered your home or car, be careful with what products you use to clean up. If you have any doubts about food or bottled water that was in contact with flood water, it’s best to be safe and throw it out.

Remember – safety comes first! If you have any questions or medical concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your medical provider. For the latest updates from Ochsner Health visit www.Ochsner.org/safe.

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About Ochsner Health

Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Ochsner Health is a not-for-profit committed to giving back to the communities it serves through preventative screenings, health and wellness resources and partnerships with innovative organizations that share our vision. Ochsner Health healed more than 876,000 people from across the globe in 2019, providing the latest medical breakthroughs and therapies, including digital medicine for chronic conditions and telehealth specialty services. Ochsner Health is a national leader, named the top hospital in Louisiana and a top children’s hospital by U.S. News & World Report. As Louisiana’s leading healthcare educator, Ochsner Health and its partners educate thousands of healthcare professionals annually. Ochsner Health is innovating healthcare by investing in new technologies and research to make world-class care more accessible, affordable, convenient and effective. Ochsner's team of more than 26,000 employees and 4,500 providers are working to reinvent the future of health and wellness in the region. To learn more about Ochsner Health, please visit www.ochsner.org. To transform your health, please visit www.ochsner.org/healthyyou.