After all these hurricanes and floods we've had in the last few years around here, some of us are getting pretty good at rebuilding fences, laying new roofs and floors and maybe even doing some finishing carpentry. But there are some guidelines we have to follow to make sure we don't end up with toxic mold behind our walls or creeping around in our air ducts. Here are some resources that, even if they might be too late for
this hurricane season, might help us out next year...or the next:
This was our inspiration. We just today received
Creating a Healthy Home, a publication of the
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. It was made possible by contributions from researchers from all over the country and is rich with information about cleaning up storm and water-damaged homes.
Flood Damaged Walls, Celings and Floors: Removing Moisture, Cleaning and Repairing--a publication of the Centers for Disease Control, also available as a PDF.
Repairing Your Flooded Home--Information from the American Red Cross.
Emergency Preparedness and Response--More good information from the CDC. Now
there's a government agency that's earning its keep!
Flood Cleanup and the Air in Your Home--an easy-to-follow handbook put out by the EPA.
Flood Cleanup: Avoiding Indoor Air Quality Problems--a highly informative handbook by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Sending your work crew out to clean up the tool yard after the storm? Here are some tips from the
Occupational Safety Hazard Administration (OSHA) that could keep them from getting hurt.
The National Flood Insurance Program gives you information about how to insure your home and belongings whether you live in a flood zone or not.
