Environmental Health Center

California Flood Recovery Scripts

This is an Environminute Disaster Advisory from the National Safety Council and the Governors Office of Emergency Services.

Electrical safety precautions are a must when you re-enter buildings that have been flooded. First, make sure electrical service is turned off before going back into a building for the first time. Do that by turning off the main electrical switch and all circuits. Until you do, never come into contact with standing water: there could be some hot wires below the water line. Throw away submerged fuse boxes and all of their contents. Remove covers from all outlets and fuses or breaker boxes and flush them with clean water. Allow time for drying and then spray them with contact cleaner or lubricant. And don't turn the electricity back on until the whole system has been checked by a licensed electrician.

This Environminute Disaster Advisory was brought to you by the Teresa and H. John Heinz III Foundation.

For information on floods and indoor air issues, visit our Flood Waters Fact Sheet.

For more information on the Flood Recovery Radio PSAs, e-mail hochc@nsc.org.