July 25, 2005 Page 1 of 2

FACT SHEET 

Key Facts About Hurricane Recovery: 

Protect Your Health and Safety After a Hurricane 

Prevent illness from FOOD 

Identify and throw away food that may not be safe to eat. Throw away food that may have come in

contact with flood or storm water. Throw away canned foods that are bulging, opened, or damaged. Throw 

away food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture. Throw away perishable foods (including meat, 

poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit (F) for 2 hours or more. 

Thawed food that contains ice crystals or is 40 degree F or below can be refrozen or cooked. If cans have

come in contact with floodwater or storm water, remove the labels, wash the cans, and dip them in a 

solution of 1 cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water. Relabel the cans with a marker. 

Store food safely. While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as 

possible. Add block ice or dry ice to your refrigerator if the electricity is expected to be off longer than 

4 hours. Wear heavy gloves when handling ice. 

Prevent illness from WATER 

Listen to and follow public announcements. Local authorities will tell you if tap water is safe to drink

or to use for cooking or bathing. If the water is not safe to use, follow local instructions to use bottled 

water or to boil or disinfect water for cooking, cleaning, or bathing.

Correctly boil or disinfect water. Hold water at a rolling boil for 1 minute to kill bacteria. If you can’t 

boil water, add 1/8 teaspoon (~0.75 mL) of newly purchased, unscented liquid household bleach per 

gallon of water. Stir the water well, and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. You can use waterpurifying tablets instead of boiling water or using bleach. For infants, use only pre-prepared canned baby

formula. Do not use powdered formulas prepared with treated water. Clean children’s toys that have come 

in contact with water. Use a solution of 1 cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water to clean the toys. Let toys air 

dry after cleaning. 

Prevent and treat OTHER ILLNESS and INJURIES 

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced

by many types of equipment and is poisonous to breathe. Don't use a generator, charcoal grill, camp 

stove, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, or garage or near a 

window, door, or vent. Don't run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house, even if you leave 

the door open. Don’t heat your house with a gas oven. If your carbon monoxide detector sounds, leave 

your home immediately and call 911. Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect carbon monoxide 

poisoning and are feeling dizzy, light-headed, or nauseated. 

Avoid floodwater and mosquitoes. Follow all warnings about water on roadways. Do not drive vehicles 

or heavy equipment through water. If you have to work in or near floodwater, wear a life jacket. If you 

are caught in an area where floodwater is rising, wear a life jacket, or wear or keep at hand some other 

type of flotation device. Prevent mosquito bites by wearing long pants, socks, and long-sleeved shirts and

using insect repellents that contain DEET or Picaridin. More information about these and other 
Protect Your Health and Safety After a Hurricane

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July 25, 2005 Page 2 of 2

recommended repellents can be found in the fact sheet “Updated Information Regarding Insect 

Repellents” at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/RepellentUpdates.htm. 

Avoid unstable buildings and structures. Stay away from damaged buildings or structures until they

have been examined and certified as safe by a building inspector or other government authority. Leave 

immediately if you hear shifting or unusual noises that signal that the structure is about to fall.

Beware of wild or stray animals. Avoid wild or stray animals. Call local authorities to handle animals.

Get rid of dead animals according to local guidelines.

Beware of electrical and fire hazards. NEVER touch a fallen power line. Call the power company to

report fallen power lines. Avoid contact with overhead power lines during cleanup and other activities. If 

electrical circuits and electrical equipment have gotten wet or are in or near water, turn off the power at

the main breaker or fuse on the service panel. Do not turn the power back on until electrical equipment 

has been inspected by a qualified electrician. Do not burn candles near flammable items or leave the 

candle unattended. If possible, use flashlights or other battery-operated lights instead of candles. 

Beware of hazardous materials. Wear protective clothing and gear (for example, a respirator if 

needed) when handling hazardous materials. Wash skin that may have come in contact with hazardous 

chemicals. Contact local authorities if you are not sure about how to handle or get rid of hazardous 

materials. 

Clean up and prevent mold growth. Clean up and dry out the building quickly (within 24 to 48 hours). 

Open doors and windows. Use fans to dry out the building. To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and 

surfaces with detergent and water. To remove mold growth, wear impervious gloves, open windows and 

doors, and clean with a bleach solution of 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Throw away porous items 

(for example, carpet and upholstered furniture) that cannot be dried quickly. Fix any leaks in roofs, walls,

or plumbing. 

Pace yourself and get support. Be alert to physical and emotional exhaustion or strain. Set priorities 

for cleanup tasks, and pace the work. Try not to work alone. Don’t get exhausted. Ask your family

members, friends, or professionals for support. If needed, seek professional help.

Prevent musculoskeletal injuries. Use teams of two or more people to move bulky objects. Avoid 

lifting any material that weighs more than 50 pounds (per person). 

Stay cool. When it’s hot, stay in air-conditioned buildings; take breaks in shaded areas or in cool rooms; 

drink water and nonalcoholic fluids often; wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing; and do 

outdoor activities during cooler hours. 

Treat wounds. Clean out all open wounds and cuts with soap and clean water. Apply an antibiotic

ointment. Contact a doctor to find out whether more treatment is needed (such as a tetanus shot). If a 

wound gets red, swells, or drains, seek immediate medical attention. 

Wash your hands. Use soap and water to wash your hands. If water isn’t available, you can use alcoholbased products made for washing hands.

Wear protective gear for cleanup work. Wear hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves, and watertight 

boots with steel toe and insole (not just steel shank). Wear earplugs or protective headphones to reduce 

risk from equipment noise. 

For more information, visit www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes

or call CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (English and Spanish) or 888-232-6348 (TTY).