Can indoor flooding be dangerous?

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Stay safe. Act quickly. Get shoes on. Stay clear of the flooded areas. Call SERVPRO for help.

At SERVPRO of West Covina, our professionally trained team puts safety for everyone involved at the forefront. If you wake up and step out of bed into several inches of water it can be startling. What can you do? There can be potential dangers to keep a lookout for. Here are a few suggestions to keep you and your family safe and healthy.

• The first thing to do is to put on hard-soled shoes or rubber boots if you have them. If anyone else is in the home, have them also on shoes, and instruct them to stay clear of the wet areas for safety measures.
• Next, if you can determine where the leak is coming from, can you shut off the water source? Is the leak from a running toilet or washing machine? Did a pipe inside the wall or slab rupture?
• Now you will want to call SERVPRO to come help stop the damages from becoming any worse. We will arrive promptly, scope out how far the water traveled, extract the standing water and begin the repair process with the following safety precautions in mind:

Standing water potential dangers

Risk of electrical shock – Electronic chords dangling in the water is a problem. Wet electronics and/or fixtures are also an issue. When your home floods and your main power switch is on, walking around in the flooded water can lead to a potentially deadly shock. Do not take the risk, stay out of the wet rooms that are affected.

Outside flood entering home – If at all possible, remain clear of affected rooms. Beware of sharp debris and potentially harmful contaminants or chemicals within the soil such as animal or bird feces. Beware of waterborne illness.

Bacteria and contaminants- If a high bacteria level is present, small cuts on your skin can lead to health risks and concerns, especially if small children or the elderly are walking around barefoot.

Mold – Indoor temperatures are ideal for supporting the growth of mold when both water and organic material is available for the spores to feed on. Wall cavities and areas where no light shines can easily be missed if a professional company is not hired for the cleanup. Check with your doctor regarding the risks related to mold exposure within the home. Mold is avoidable if the water damage is acted upon immediately and the proper IICRC measures are taken.