Posts tagged gloves
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.
Police investigate armed robbery at Boulder liquor store
Aug 3rd
Two suspects entered the store, both armed with handguns. The suspects were wearing all black clothing and black gloves. They were wearing articles of clothing to conceal their identity. The suspects stole money and then fled the store on foot heading eastbound.
Suspect 1 is described as:
- White male
- 6’ tall
- Thin build
- Blondish colored hair that was possibly curly
- Pale complexion with possible freckles
- Wearing black knit cap and a dark colored bandana with a white pattern
- Black shoes with white soles
Suspect 2 is described as:
- Hispanic or light-skinned black male
- 5’8” to 5’10” tall
- Thin build
- Brown eyes
- Wearing a black ski mask
The case number is 13-9940. Photographs are attached.
Investigators are trying to identify the two suspects and are asking anyone with information to contact detectives. Anyone with information may call Detective Heather Frey at 303-441-3369. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.
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Noxious weeds on the city’s “hit” list
May 2nd
As a result of a state mandate to eliminate “List A” noxious weed species from all public and private property in Colorado communities, the City of Boulder is proposing an update to its existing weed ordinance to require property owners to remove the weeds from all properties.
“List A” weed species, as provided in the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, are plants that have yet to be well established in Colorado but are either present in small populations or are invasive in nearby states. There are two species of “List A” weeds that are of most concern within Boulder’s city limits: myrtle spurge and Japanese knotweed. The city was awarded a grant through the Colorado Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Management Fund to assist in an educational plan.
“Early detection and eradication of these particular species can prevent them from becoming a major problem in Colorado,” said city Integrated Pest Management Coordinator Rella Abernathy. “Most of these plants are ‘escaped’ ornamental plants and many residents may not realize that they present a threat to the natural lands surrounding Boulder and are illegal to grow here.”
These noxious, invasive plants can negatively impact biodiversity, threaten endangered species, degrade native habitat, displace wildlife, increase soil erosion, damage streams and other wetlands and increase the risk and frequency of wildfires if allowed to spread. Boulder is in compliance with the Colorado Noxious Weed Act on city-owned properties but has not been enforcing the statue on private property.
The city will focus on education and outreach to notify the public of the requirements and to provide information for identification, environmentally-sound weed removal and suggested replacement plant options.
“A soft enforcement approach is being implemented with voluntary compliance being the goal and enforcement action being a last resort,” said Code Enforcement Supervisor Jennifer Riley. “However, ticketing is possible if property owners do not comply with repeated requests from officers to address illegal weeds.”
Education will begin with a “Purge Your Spurge” event on May 18 where residents are encouraged to pull their myrtle spurge and exchange it for free native plants. This event will occur as part of Boulder Community Day at the East Boulder Community Center, 5660 Sioux Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other education efforts will include a webpage; fact sheets; media engagement; outreach to nurseries, landscapers and lawn care companies; and code enforcement officers who assist with education in the field.
“Identifying and removing noxious weeds from private property can take some effort, but it’s important to prevent these weeds from spreading to our neighbors’ yards and ultimately to natural areas,” said Abernathy. “Fortunately, only two of the weeds from the list are widespread within the Boulder city limits, myrtle spurge being the most common. We want to make sure people can easily identify the weeds, know how to remove them safely and know what native plants can be used to replace them.”
Myrtle spurge has been commonly used as a decorative plant. People should be aware that it contains a white sap that can cause skin irritation including blistering if touched. Those removing it should wear long sleeves, long pants, gloves and eye protection. Removing at least four inches of the root is recommended to prevent its return. It should be placed in a plastic bag and tightly fastened. DON’T compost noxious weeds as that will cause the weed to spread.
The city’s weed ordinance is expected to be modified through a City Manager rule change, which will be published in the Daily Camera on May 3, as well as on the city’s website. Public feedback will be accepted until May 20. The rule is anticipated to go into effect on June 1, 2013.
For more information or to provide feedback on the proposed City Manager’s rule, contact Rella Abernathy at 303-441-1901.
— CITY OF BOULDER NEWS RELEASE –
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