Key points
When returning home after a flood, know the steps you can take to prevent electric shock, carbon monoxide poisoning, and mold growth.
Script
Returning home after a flood?
- Never use a wet electrical device.
- Be careful near damaged buildings.
- Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Use generators, charcoal grills, and pressure washers outdoors at least 20 feet from any doors, windows, or vents and use a battery-powered CO detector.
- Prevent mold. Dry everything you can and put things that cannot be dried and cleaned outside.
Get more safety tips: www.cdc.gov/disasters.
Content Source
National Center for Environmental Health
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Published: May 15, 2024
Updated: February 5, 2024
This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.
Reviewed: August 26, 2026
The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.