Posts tagged boots
National Health Service advises how to stay healthy after a flood, Watch out Nebraska
Sep 18th
Flooding presents a number of risks and hazards to health, either directly (such as injuries caused by fast-flowing floodwater) or the longer-term impact of dealing with the aftermath. The main health risks associated with flooding are drowning and being injured by an accident in flowing water.
Avoid going into floodwater if you can. If you have to go in, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves. Be aware of any potential dangers under the water, such as drains without covers.
Infections caused by flooding are rare in the UK. See your GP if anyone in your family has symptoms such as sickness, diarrhoea or stomach cramps.
Mental health
Being affected by a flood and cleaning your home afterwards can be physically and mentally stressful. If you feel overwhelmed and need some help to cope, talk to your GP. The Citizens Advice Bureau can help with practical things, like money and alternative housing. Getting involved in community activities and talking to friends, neighbours and family may also help.
Food, water and general hygiene
Maintaining good hygiene reduces health risks. Always wash your hands with soap and clean water:
- after you use the toilet
- when you handle food
- after being in contact with floodwater or items contaminated by floodwater
Don’t allow children to play in floodwater areas. Wash their hands frequently, especially before meals.
Keep open cuts or sores clean and use waterproof plasters to prevent them being exposed to floodwater.
Food preparation and storage
Don’t eat any food, including tinned food, that has come into contact with floodwater.
- Wash all food preparation surfaces, plastic and glass chopping boards, crockery, pots, pans and other utensils with hot clean water and detergent, then a normal kitchen disinfectant. Powerful disinfectants such as bleach are unnecessary.
- Throw away wooden chopping boards that have been in contact with floodwater.
- Wash your hands before and after preparing food.
- Make sure that all shelves and surfaces that food will touch are disinfected and undamaged.
- To wash food that you will eat raw (for example, salad or fruit), use boiled water that has been cooled.
- It’s safe to use unboiled tap water for boiling food or for preparing food that is going to be cooked.
Water
If your water comes through a mains supply, follow the advice of the local water company. If your water is a private supply from a well or spring and you notice changes in the way it looks, smells or tastes, ring your local council for advice.
If you’re concerned about the purity of your water, boil it before you use it. Continue doing this until the water supply has been shown to be safe.
Boiling water
Boiling water kills harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites. Bring the water to the boil and allow it to cool before you drink it.
Also remember:
- Water from the hot tap is never suitable for drinking.
- Water taps must be cleaned and disinfected before use after a flood.
If you’re bottle-feeding a baby, use boiled water. Don’t use bottled water for your baby unless it’s recommended by a doctor or health visitor, as some bottled water is unsuitable for babies.
Cleaning inside your home
You can clean and disinfect your home using normal household products. However, floodwater can contain sewage, chemical hazards and animal waste, so when you’re cleaning up:
- Wear waterproof gloves, wellington boots and a face mask (available from DIY shops).
- Keep children and pets out of the affected area until the clean-up is complete.
- Clean walls, hard floors and other surfaces with hot soapy water, using ordinary household detergent such as washing-up liquid, until they look clean.
- Remove and throw away soft furnishings, such as curtains, and fittings that are mouldy or damaged beyond repair.
- Contaminated soft furnishings that can’t go in a washing machine need to be professionally cleaned. If this isn’t possible, you may have to throw them away.
- Wash clothes and bedding in a hot wash (60C or the hottest on the items’ instruction labels).
- Clothes worn during the clean-up should be washed separately from other items.
- Heating and good ventilation, fans, air conditioning units and dehumidifiers will all help drying.
Petrol- or diesel-powered generators, dehumidifiers and pressure washers should never be used indoors without adequate ventilation as their exhaust gases can build up and kill.
Visit the Health Protection Agency (HPA) website to find out more about what to do after a flood.
The HPA also has some useful questions and answers about flood safety.
Floods heading toward the Northeast Plains and Nebraska
Nearly all the rainfall in last week’s flood fell in the South Platte River basin. The basin sends the water toward Nebraska, where the water is collecting i n the main river basin and rushing toward the flat farm land, where the crest could as high as 10 entering the state. In Nebraska, the South Platte follows I-80 eastward and could damage the interstate highway.
How far into Nebraska the flood does damage depends upon, in part, where the South Platte joins the North Platte River near the city of North Platte, about 90 miles from the Colorado state line. Currently, the North Platte is running about 800 c.f.s, which is close to the historical norm for this time of the year. The South Platte is currently running at 10,000 c.f.s higher than the historical average.
Teens and adults can apply for summer jobs with Boulder County Youth Corps
Mar 19th
The Youth Corps offers one of the best first-job opportunities available in Boulder County. Teams have completed projects such as constructing nearly a mile of trail at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat, replacing the residential fence at a Boulder County low-income housing development in Louisville and preserving the McDonald Cabin at Betasso Preserve Open Space. Parks and Open space is now accepting applications for Youth Corps members and team leaders.
Who: The Youth Corps will hire 180 teenagers to work 30 hours per week.
- Boulder County residents ages 14-17 have until Friday, March 29 to apply for summer jobs with the Boulder County Youth Corps. Boulder County is especially in need of female Corps members.
- Applicants can apply online at http://www.bouldercounty.org/youthcorps. Applications can also be picked up at counseling offices in Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley schools; city and town personnel offices; most local recreation and youth centers and libraries; and the Boulder County Human Resources Department, 2025 14th St. in Boulder.
What: Corps members will work on a variety of community service projects such as forest thinning, historic preservation, construction and repair of fencing, trail maintenance, removal of Russian olive trees and noxious weeds, landscaping and replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescents.
When: Youth Corps members are expected to work Monday through Thursday, from June 10 to July 31.
Where: Teams will work in unincorporated Boulder County as well as in cities and towns within Boulder County.
Compensation: This year, Corps members will earn a starting wage of $7.78/hour, with the possibility of earning a $100 bonus at the end of the program based on merit and strong attendance.
- Teens who have worked for the Corps in past years can earn up to $8.28/hour.
- Corps members are eligible for reimbursement for the purchase of work boots and gloves.
- RTD bus passes for the purpose of traveling to and from centralized work meeting places may be subsidized.
The Youth Corps is also hiring team leaders, who must be high school graduates at least 21 years old with two years of college coursework or more, among other qualifications. A list of full qualifications is available online. Team Leaders start at $13.50/hour. These positions remain open until filled.
For more information, visit http://www.bouldercounty.org/youthcorps or call the Youth Corps office at 303-678-6104.
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Boulder County: Teens and adults can apply for summer jobs with Youth Corps
Jan 28th
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County residents ages 14-17 can now apply for summer jobs with the Boulder County Youth Corps. Boulder County is also hiring adults to be team leaders. Boulder County is especially in need of female Corps members and leaders.
The deadline to submit youth applications is Friday, March 29. Other positions are open until filled.
The Youth Corps will hire between 160-180 teenagers to work 30 hours per week, Monday through Thursday, from June 10 to July 31 on a variety of community service projects. Team leaders will be employed from May 29 to August 2 to work up to 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Projects will include such activities as forest thinning, historic preservation, construction and repair of fencing, trail maintenance, removal of Russian olive trees and noxious weeds, landscaping and replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescents. Youth Corps teams will work in unincorporated Boulder County as well as in cities and towns within Boulder County.
Applicants can apply online at www.bouldercounty.org/youthcorps. Applications can also be picked up at counseling offices in Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley schools; city and town personnel offices; most local recreation and youth centers and libraries; and the Boulder County Human Resources Department, 2025 14th St. (Boulder).
This year, Corps members will earn a starting wage of $7.78/hour, with the possibility of earning a $100 bonus at the end of the program based on merit and strong attendance. Teens who have worked for the Corps in past years can earn up to $8.28/hour. In addition, Corps members are eligible for reimbursement for the purchase of work boots and gloves. RTD bus passes for the purpose of traveling to and from centralized work meeting places may be subsidized.
Team Leaders must be high school graduates at least 21 years old with two years of college coursework or more, and Assistant Team Leaders must be high school graduates at least 18 years old, among other qualifications. A list of full qualifications is available online at www.bouldercounty.org/youthcorps. Team Leaders start at $13.50/hour and Assistant Team Leaders at $11.50/hour.
The Youth Corps offers one of the best first job opportunities available in Boulder County. Teams have completed projects such as constructing almost a mile of trail at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat, replacing the residential fence at a Boulder County low-income housing development in Louisville, and preserving the McDonald Cabin at Betasso Preserve Open Space.
For more information, visit www.bouldercounty.org/youthcorps or call the Youth Corps office at 303-678-6104.
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