Going back into your home after a flood can be dangerous. Even when they do not destroy homes completely, floods can leave behind severe structural, electrical and other damage ”“ some of which you may see immediately, as well as other damage you may not. And the danger isn't necessarily over when the water goes down.

Follow these safety tips when returning home after a flood:

• Stay off the streets. If you must go out, watch for fallen objects, downed electrical wires, and weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks.
• Don't return to your flood-damaged home before the area is declared to be safe by local officials.
• Keep a battery-powered radio with you so you can listen for emergency updates and news reports.
• Use a battery-powered flashlight to inspect a damaged home. Turn it on outside before entering, as the battery may produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.
• Check your home before you go in. Carefully check outside your home for loose power lines, gas leaks, foundation cracks or other damage. See if porch roofs and overhangs still have all their supports. If you see damage, a building inspector or contractor should check the building before you enter.
• Turn off the electricity. Even if the power company has turned off electricity to the area, make certain your house's power supply is disconnected.
• As soon as it is safe to do so, disconnect all electronics/electrical equipment and move it to a dry location.
• If you suspect a gas leak or smell gas, leave your home immediately and call the gas company from a neighbor's house.
• Enter carefully. If the door sticks at the top, it could mean your ceiling is ready to fall. If you force the door open, wait outside the doorway in case debris falls.
• Check the ceiling for signs of sagging. Wind, rain, or deep flooding may wet plaster or wallboard. It is very heavy and dangerous if it falls.
• After ensuring electricity is off, hose down the house to remove health hazards left behind by floodwater mud.
• Shovel out as much mud as possible. Remove water quickly using a mop or squeegee.
• Watch for snakes and other animals that may have been forced into your home by floodwaters.
• To prevent accidental fires, use flashlights instead of candles to see if power is on or off after a flood.
• Look for fire hazards.
• Keep children and pets inside. If pets must be walked outside, make sure they are leashed.
• Remove as much standing water as possible from inside the building.
• Begin to remove water-damaged materials immediately.
• Ventilate with fans and/or dehumidifiers.
• Acting quickly can increase the chance of salvaging usable materials, reduce the amount of rust, rot and mold that might develop, and limit the likelihood of structural problems.

Cleaning Up & Preventing Mold

• Fix water leaks and open up doors and windows, and fans and dehumidifiers (if you have them) to remove moisture.
• Remove mold by mixing a solution of one cup of bleach with one gallon of water. Scrub any moldy items with the solution, and scrub rough surfaces with a stiff brush. Rinse with clean water and then leave to dry.
• To clean hard surfaces that don't soak up water but may have been in contact with floodwaters, wash with soap and clean water. Next, disinfect with a mixture of one cup of bleach in five gallons of clean water, and allow the surfaces to dry.

Keeping Food & Water Safe

• Pay close attention to announcements from local officials on the safety of your drinking water. If alerts are issued with regard to drinking, cooking, cleaning or bathing with your water, use bottled water or boiled or disinfected water rather than tap water.
• If a "boil water" advisory is in effect for your area, do not drink tap water or use it to brush teeth until you have brought it to a boil for at least one minute, or have treated it with unscented household chlorine bleach.
• Don't eat food that may have gone bad due to power outages or come in contact with floodwaters. When in doubt, throw out any suspicious-looking food.

Assess the Psychological Impact

• After a storm passes, violent events like severe floods can sometimes cause emotional and psychological trauma. Children, especially, may fear the storm will come back, or that it is punishment for real or imagined misdeeds.
• Encourage your children to express their feelings about what has happened. Listen carefully and show that you understand their fears.
• Include your children in the cleanup -- if possible and if the affected area poses no danger -- to give them a chance to see your household return to normal.
• If you or your family needs crisis counseling, contact your local American Red Cross chapter for information on speaking with a counselor.