Harris County Texas Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Protect Your Health During and After a Disaster
It is important to stay healthy DURING an emergency or disaster. Make sure you wash your hands with soap and water often and thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Supervise the hand washing of children.
Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth to avoid infection.
Drink plenty of fluids and try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
Try to get plenty of rest.
If you have diabetes, a heart condition, or any other chronic medical condition, make sure you watch yourself for symptoms that are getting worse. If you think you are getting worse, call your medical provider immediately. If you cannot reach them, call 9-1-1 or go to the hospital.
If you have a mental health condition, like anxiety or depression, make sure you watch yourself for worsening symptoms. If you think you are having symptoms, call your provider immediately. You can also call the Harris Center 24-hour crisis line at 713-970-7000, or the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.
There are other things you can do to protect your health:
Be aware of safety concerns caused by the disaster that can affect your health. For example, watch out for washed out roads, contaminated buildings, contaminated water, gas leaks, broken glass, damaged electrical wiring, and slippery surfaces. Avoid touching sewage, debris, and other possibly contaminated materials, and try to stay out of flood waters. If you must touch any of these, wear sturdy boots and gloves, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water often.
If water gets in your home, prevent mold by airing out your home, opening windows and doors. If you can, have industrial fans placed inside your home. Use a solution of one-part bleach to ten-parts water to clean toys, personal items, and surfaces; or wipe them down with Lysol/Clorox wipes.
Listen to the news and public health authorities for information on what vaccines are best to get after a disaster, and where you can get them.
If you are living in a home that was flooded and think you have any of the following symptoms, be sure to contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible:
- Persistent cough or allergies symptoms
- Rashes
- Persistent diarrhea and vomiting