29 Dec 2008
SIMCOE MUSKOKA – Power failures and flooding in recent days have created conditions that require special care for many residents in Simcoe and Muskoka, the health unit warns.
- Flooding around your well could contaminate your drinking water by allowing harmful bacteria into the supply. Until you can get your well water tested, use bottled water for drinking, making infant formula, juices, cooking, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables or brushing teeth.
- Food items that have been in contact with flood water need to be thrown out. Canned goods remain safe but the outside of cans must be thoroughly washed and disinfected before being opened.
- Where power is off, food spoilage becomes an issue. Refrigerators should keep food safe for four to six hours without power. A full freezer should be able to keep foods safely frozen for up to 48 hours. Any perishable food in the refrigerator should be thrown out if it has been above 4 C for more than two hours. Similarly, frozen food that has thawed should be thrown out.
- In Muskoka, warming stations have been established for people who have no power in their homes. Three centres currently in operation include the Raymond and Milford Bay Community Centres in Muskoka Lakes Township and the Centennial Centre in Huntsville. These warming stations will remain open until power is restored.
For more guidance on cleanup after a flood, dealing with well water contamination or other issues related to flooding or power failure, you can visit the website of the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org or call Your Health Connection at 721-7520 (1-877-721-7520) from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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