How to chlorinate water, wash utensils and clean a flood-hit Kerala home?

Stepping back into a flood-hit home is often emotional, but it also requires caution, as the raging Kerala floodwaters may have brought not just mud but also deadly viruses and displaced snakes into the house. So, you need to be careful while cleaning the houses and establishments to ensure the health and safety of not just your family but society as well. People should seek assistance from health workers if necessary, as flooded homes could harbour disease-causing viruses. According to the State Disaster Management Authority, here's how to go about it:

How to enter and clean safely
• Enter the house only a few minutes after opening the door. Make sure to switch off the electricity supply. Check the rooms thoroughly using a flashlight or a torch. 
• Do not light cigarettes, candles or a gas lighter as soon as you enter the house. Look for strange or unusual smells; this is an important safety step.
• Remove the plugs of electronic appliances and check the solar devices and inverter. Switch off the regulator of the gas cylinder. 

• Wear a mask, gloves and gum boots while cleaning a flood-hit house. Wash your hands and legs thoroughly using soap and clean water after cleaning. 
• Carefully check the walls, pillars and roof of the house to see whether the flood waters have caused any cracks or damage to the structure. 
• Bathroom waste and sewage can get mixed in the floodwater. So, make sure to clean the house and the surrounding areas using bleaching powder. 
• Ensure that the septic tank isn’t damaged. Bathrooms should be used only after cleaning them. 

Restoring electricity
• Do not touch electronic devices while standing in the floodwaters.
• Do not inspect the electronic devices or electricity connection yourself. Ensure the service of an electrician for that. 
• There are chances of a short circuit as the floodwaters may have damaged the wiring, meter, switches and plugs. 
• Moisture may remain inside the wiring pipe and panels even after the flood water recedes, which could result in a short circuit. Hire an electrician to clean the wires and panels and to check the insulation for safety. 

• Do not touch a loosened or broken service wire, electric lines or earth wires. It is wise to swiftly alert the KSEB officials if you find these near your house. 

• Electric metre, MCB and MCCB should be replaced if you are not sure whether floodwaters have entered them or not. 
• Check the status of the earth electrodes at homes and establishments to ensure their safety. 
• Do not use an electronic device that was completely immersed in water without checking its safety. 

Spotting snakes
• Snakes, scorpions or arthropods that came in with the floodwaters may hide inside the house. 
• Do not try to catch the snake yourself. Alert the forest department’s response team if snakes are found inside the house. 
• Clean the house only when there is sufficient light inside. Avoid cleaning flood-hit homes at night. 
• Carefully inspect the gaps between almirahs and cots. \• Ensure that snakes are not hiding inside objects that are kept open. 
• Snakes may hide in the ceiling of houses that have a tiled roof or a tin sheet roof. 
• Snakes or other venomous creatures may hide inside home appliances, clothes and pipelines. Check shoes, footwear and bags thoroughly before using them again.
• Check inside the bonnet or the hood of cars and the various parts of two-wheelers. 

Well chlorination
• Clean the wells and drinking water sources using bleaching powder before using the water again. Make sure to do chlorination every alternate day.
• Super chlorination should be done according to the water level in the well. Five grams of bleaching powder could be used for 1000 litres of water. Take sufficient quantity of bleaching powder in a bucket; add water as required. Keep it aside for at least 10 minutes for the water to clear up. The lime in the bleaching solution will settle at the bottom while the chlorine gets mixed in the water. The bucket with the clear bleaching solution should be lowered into the well to mix it with the water. The water in the well is safe for use an hour after chlorination. 

Washing utensils
• Glasses, plates and other utensils should be used only after washing them in boiling water or soaking them in one per cent chlorine solution for 20-30 minutes. 
• Make sure to drink only boiled and cooled water. Chlorinated water should be used for cooking and consumption. Do not mix regular water with boiled water. 
• Food items, masala powders, opened food packets, and medicines that got immersed in the flood water should be discarded. 
• Refrigerators and mixer grinders should be cleaned thoroughly and checked for safety before using them again. 
• Do not light the stove or turn on electric switches if you smell gas in the house. Open the doors and windows to ensure sufficient air circulation inside the house. 
• Contact the gas agency for servicing the gas cylinder and stove or checking for safety.