It is a smart idea to have a safety plan for any potential household disaster that may occur, not just a fire evacuation and preparedness plan.
A sewage spill is another potential household disaster that any household should be prepared for.
In the case of a sewage spill, you have two conflicting priorities. One is to immediately evacuate all children and pets from the property. The other is to immediately begin the sewage clean up process.
A sewage spill contains toxic bacteria and viruses, and while these can make anybody sick they are especially dangerous for small children and animals with weaker immune systems.
The sewage clean up process can take up to several weeks, so it is advisable that a household be prepared for a situation where both children and pets will need to stay somewhere else for the amount of time it take to effectively complete a sewage clean up and it is safe to return home.
Knowing of a place where pets and children can stay is as important as getting them there, because the viruses and bacteria can quickly spread if a sewage clean up is ‘put off’, infecting almost every room in the house.
Having an evacuation plan for any possible household disaster is a good idea, and should be discussed on a regular basis to avoid any confusion in the case of a disaster actually occurring.
Also, having the right tools needed is essential for disaster preparedness. To prepare for sewage clean up, your household should have the following in an easily accessible place.
• 2 buckets (one for a cleaning solution, and one for the rinse) When performing a sewage clean up, you will want to rinse the sponge after every time you use the cleaning solution. Completely rinse and ring out the sponge, and change the rinse water frequently!
• Cleaning solution and disinfectant. Never combine household chemicals! Bleach can produce a poisonous gas when mixed with other common household chemicals.
• Sponges or rags for cleaning.
• Rubber gloves, and waterproof boots to protect your skin from direct contact with the sewage and any bacteria
Begin sewage clean up with the assumption that everything in direct or near contact with the sewage spill is already infected. This means you will need to immediately dispose of small items like cosmetics, toys, medicine, food, etc. Tie these securely in a plastic bag and take them outside to a safe location.
You may also need to throw out larger items, such as mattresses, carpet, even furniture. As a safety precaution, paper products like books and cardboard should also be disposed of properly.
Once you have properly disposed of any items that have been or may have been infected with bacteria or viruses from the sewage spill, the next step is to clean. Use the cleaning solution in one bucket (preferably a non-sudsy cleaning solution) and a rinse solution in the other bucket as previously described, changing the rinse solution frequently.
Always wear ‘protection’ when performing the sewage clean up, avoiding any contact with the sewage and the viruses or bacteria. Take extra precaution if you have any cuts or sores. Leave no skin exposes, and continue to frequently wash your hands anyway.
Finally, you want to ‘dry out your home’. Check for any mold or mildew concerns. It is advisable to call in a professional for this portion of a sewage clean up, especially if you don’t know what to look for or what should be done to treat any mold or mildew.
Open all windows, closet and cabinet doors, and circulate the air with a fan and/or de-humidifier. Continuously wash your hands, using water that has been boiled for one minute (allow the water to cool, of course!) and quickly wash your clothes or dispose of them.
The best thing you can do after performing the sewage clean up is to have a professional come into your home and inspect for any damage that may have been incurred from a sewage spill, including damage to utilities like electric or gas.
The best thing you can do before a sewage spill is to be prepared for the situation to occur.
