Advice for businesses and home owners following a flood
Flooding advice
If your property has been affected by flooding it's important to follow good hygiene practices. This will stop harmful bacteria that might be in the flood water, spreading to your food.
If you're a food business and you've been flooded, please contact us on 01553 616200 and ask for the Food Team.
Cleaning up after a flood
Flood water can contain sewage, chemicals and animal waste, so wear some protective clothing including gloves, and wellington boots.
If your electricity supply is not already turned off, only do so if it's safe. Don't stand in flood water when you do this. Get an electrician to check your power supply.
Clean and disinfect by using ordinary household cleaning products. A garden hose can be useful for washing down, but don't use pressure hoses.
Remember to clean and disinfect your cupboards, fridges, freezers and work surfaces if they became contaminated with flood water.
Keeping your food safe
Don't eat food which has touched or been covered by flood water or sewage.
If you think your tap water may be contaminated, boil it and cool it before using it to wash food that won't be cooked (for example fruit and salads).
Don't prepare, cook or serve food on surfaces which have been contaminated with dirty water. Remember to clean and disinfect them first.
If your fridge or freezer remained closed during the flood check the foods you had stored. If the power supply has been off for a few hours, you should throw away the food in the fridge. Check the food in the freezer to determine if it has defrosted. If meat products, fish or dairy have begun to soften you should throw these away.