Health & Safety Tips

Follow these public and health and safety tips and protect your family from the hazards that lurk after Ivan. More information on these subjects can be downloaded from the government website at www.gov.ky under “Recovery News”.

Operating a Portable Generator

With a steady increase in the number of persons showing up at the Accident & Emergency Room at the Cayman Islands Hospital with symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and burns caused by improper handling of portable generators, the Health Services Authority emphasizes the need for all residents to observe all safety precautions when using these devices.

Head of the Accident & Emergency Department, Dr. Fiona Robertson says that while portable electric generators offer great benefits, they can be hazardous if used improperly. Major hazards are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electrocution from connecting a generator to the home electrical wiring system, fires and burns.

Follow these safety tips on the proper use of generators:

Carbon Monoxide Hazard

Generators can produce high levels of carbon monoxide very quickly which cannot be seen or smelt. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. DO NOT DELAY. Carbon monoxide from generators can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death.

If you experience serious symptoms go to the hospital immediately and inform medical staff that CO poisoning is suspected.

• NEVER use generators indoors, including homes, garages, and other enclosed or partially-enclosed areas, even when ventilated. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO build-up in the home.
• Only operate the generator outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home, and protected from direct exposure to rain, preferably under a canopy, open shed, or carport.
• Install battery-operated certified CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery backup in your home, according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Electrical Hazard

• Keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or wet conditions. To protect from moisture, operate it on a dry surface under an open, canopy-like structure. Dry your hands if wet before touching the generator.
• Plug appliances directly into the generator. Or use a heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cord that is rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads. Check that the entire cord is free of cuts or tears and that the plug has all three prongs, especially the grounding pin.
• NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as “backfeeding”. This is an extremely dangerous practice that presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices.
• If you must connect the generator to house wiring to power appliances, have a qualified electrician make the appropriate connection.

Fire / Burns Hazard

• Gasoline containers should not be stored in the same place as a fuel-burning appliance. Gasoline vapors can travel invisibly along the ground and be ignited by pilot lights or arcs caused by activating electric switches.
• Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it cool down. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts may ignite.

Hazardous chemicals

Cleaning up Ivan’s mess comes with some hazards of its own:

Transporting Gasoline

• Never drink water from a container that has held gasoline or diesel. Gasoline contains an ingredient that is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent.)
• Never siphon gas by mouth or put gasoline in your mouth for any reason. Gasoline can be fatal if swallowed. If someone does swallow gas do not induce vomiting. Contact a doctor immediately.

Store and Dispose Safely

• Separate gasoline, oil, solvents, lubricants and household cleaners in secured containers for storage.
• Use only a UL approved container (red plastic) to hold gasoline, placing it on the ground when refueling to avoid a possible static electricity ignition of fuel vapours. Do not use glass bottles, or plastic milk and soda bottles; they can melt and cause leakage.
• Never fill a container with gas when it is in a vehicle (including the trunk), in the back of a pickup truck or on the floor of a trailer.
• Make sure containers are secured with lids before transporting.

Handling Dead Batteries

• Keep batteries upright and place side by side without stacking to prevent leakage.
• Don’t dump battery acid – instead store it in an appropriate container.
• If battery acid spills on your skin immediately rinse with soap and water.
• Battery acid spilt on clothing ruins it and cannot be removed – discard these clothes.
• Prevent chemical burns by always wearing protective clothing.

Cover Up when Cleaning Up

While removing debris such as mouldy drywall, insulation, old batteries and other storm damaged materials it is important to protect yourself:

• Wear work gloves, eye protection and a dust mask (an N95 or P100 dust mask is most ideal) to protect against breathing airborne mould spores and dust. Dust masks are available at most grocery stores and hardware/supply stores.
• Wear full shoes or sneakers if working in the yard or walking the streets.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or hand sanitizer after any cleanup.
• Wash hands thoroughly before preparing foods and before eating.

Fibreglass – an irritating hazard

Direct contact or exposure to airborne fibreglass dust may irritate the eyes, skin, nose, and throat. Breathing fibres may irritate the airway, resulting in coughing and a scratchy throat. Some people are more sensitive to fiberglass fibers than others.

• After handling products containing fiberglass, bathe with soap and warm water. Wash clothes separately and rinse washer after use.
• If fiberglass particles accumulate on your skin, do not scratch or rub the area.
• Do not rub eyes while working with fiberglass. If fiberglass gets into eyes, flush them with large amounts of water for 5-15 minutes.
• If you inhale substantial amounts of fiberglass leave the area of exposure. Drink water to clear throat, and blow nose to remove dust.
• If handling fiberglass, wash hands before eating or using the restroom.

Clothing and personal protective equipment for handling fiberglass

• Wear gloves, loose-fitting clothing, and long pants when working with fiberglass.
• Wear a hat and safety glasses with side shields.
• Wear an N-95 dust respirator if you are working in a dusty environment or if you are working with exposed fiberglass insulation overhead.
• When cleaning your work area, be organized in your approach so that you do not spread fibers back into an area you have previously cleaned.

Mould – a growing concern

Mould should not be allowed to grow and multiply indoors. Large qualities of mould growth may cause odours, damage furnishings and finishes and cause health problems.

How can I prevent mould growth?

• Keeping areas as clean and dry as possible is very important in controlling mould growth. Materials that have been water-damaged should either be dried out and cleaned or replaced. Materials that stay wet for more than 48 hours are likely to produce mould growth. As a general rule, materials that are wet and cannot be thoroughly cleaned or dried should be discarded.
• Replace absorbent materials that become mouldy (such as ceiling tiles, wallboard, and carpeting). Persons cleaning mould should wear gloves, eye protection, and dust masks (an N95 or P100 dust mask is most ideal) to protect against breathing airborne spores.
• Extensive mould growth in buildings should be corrected as soon as possible by removing contaminated materials, cleaning surfaces, and completely drying the areas.

What is the best way to cleanup?

• Wash and disinfect walls, floors, closets, shelves, and contents. In most cases, common household cleaning products and disinfectants may be used. Be careful about mixing household cleaners; follow label instructions carefully and provide fresh air by opening windows and doors. If possible, use fans both during and after using disinfecting, cleaning, and sanitizing products.

Facts about Flies & Rodents

Flies

Since Hurricane Ivan, flies seem to be everywhere. How can you control flies and what are some of the steps you can take to ensure they do not add to stressful circumstances?

Why is it important to control flies?

• Flies contaminate foods with eggs and maggots.
• Flies can carry bacteria that cause intestinaldiseases, for example, by traveling from fecal material with bacteria on body hairs or the sticky pads of their feet.
• Flies expel saliva and feces when feeding, that may also contain bacteria.

How do I control flies?

• Proper sanitation should be in place to control flies as much as possible.
• Sticky traps can be hung to catch flies in buildings or outdoors.
• Insecticides can be used to control severe fly problems.
• Households can use aerosol sprays to control flies but in areas where food is prepared, all dishes and utensils must be covered and work surfaces washed after using spray.

Rodents

• Rats can carry diseases such as plague, leptospirosis, and salmonellosis
• Rats can destroy property, cut through screens, doors, and floors
• Rats eat and contaminate food
• Rats can cause fires by gnawing electrical wires
• Rats can jump two feet vertically, walk along electrical wires, survive falls of fifty feet, swim several miles, and crawl through one-half inch holes.

What are some of the conditions that lead to rodents?

• Careless disposal of garbage
• Overgrown vegetation and piles of debris
• Derelict vehicles and discarded appliances
• Open discharge of kitchen wastewater
• Dilapidated buildings

What are signs of rodent infestation?

• Droppings and urine odour
• Gnawing
• Rub marks along walls and burrows in the ground

How are rodents controlled?

• Practice physical control methods such as constructing proper rodent-proof buildings and proper sanitation methods
• Trapping or poisoning rodents

What can you do to prevent rodents?

• Keep property as clean as possible and control situations that harbour rats
• Allow rodenticide (rat poison) baiting by DEH officers
• Report any rodent signs in your area to DEH

DEH warns that if you buy your own rodenticide, take the following precautions: do not eat, smoke or drink while applying poison; do not dump unwanted poison in water; and keep all unused poison in a concealed and labelled container that is locked and kept out of reach of children and animals.

If you have observed rodents in your area or have any questions related to rodents contact the DEH at 949-6696.

all unused poison in a concealed and labelled container that is locked and kept out of reach of children and animals.

If you have observed rodents in your area or have any questions related to rodents contact the DEH at 949-6696.