Are Medications Safe to Use after Flood Extraction?

10/27/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding in your home can cause large issues, SERVPRO is here and ready to assist you.

Mississauga Residents Concerned about the Safety of Medication after Flood Extraction

Residents of Mississauga are no strangers to the damage a storm can cause. Last year, emergency services had to rescue three people who had become trapped in their cars during street flooding in the North end of the city. In that case, a combination of poor drainage due to road works and some very heavy rain created a drainage problem and a subsequent flood. But even without road works, the area is prone to flooding due to storms and heavy rain.

There are many worrying things to consider after a disaster. One such concern is medication safety - many residents take regular medication prescribed by their doctor. Some medicines are life-preserving, while others control certain conditions or relieve pain. Customers often ask SERVPRO if it is safe to take their medication after flood extraction in their Mississauga homes. The answer depends on whether or not the floodwater contaminated the medicine.

How do you know whether it is safe to take medication after flood extraction?

You must be very careful with medications after a flood:

• If medications in their original packaging (such as screw-top caps or snap lids) come into contact with floodwater, discard them
• If medications are stored in other containers and come into contact with floodwater, discard them
• If life saving medications appear completely dry and undamaged, you may use them if you must until you can procure a replacement
• Drugs that need to be mixed with water before use are safe only if they are uncontaminated, and if you mix them with purified or bottled water
• You must replace temperature-sensitive drugs such as insulin as soon as possible
  
  

Is there a way to keep medication safe during a flood?

You can keep medications in water-tight containers to stop them from becoming contaminated in the event of a flood. Store medicines on an upper storey of the house if possible.

You can also take precautions to reduce the risk of missing a dose, and to make it easier to procure replacements:

• Keep a list of who in the house takes regular medication, what they take, and the dose
• Keep an inventory of how much medicine each person has on hand
• If you know a flood is coming, try to obtain early refills

How does SERVPRO extract floodwater?

Thorough and reliable extraction is critical after a flood. If there are wet fabrics and materials present, the risk of fungal growth rises. Damp building materials can become unstable – wood can warp, and drywall can swell.

Our extraction process includes:

• Using free-standing and truck-mounted pumps to vacuum water from inside your home
• Using carpet wands to pull water from the surface of carpets and to get into nooks and crannies
• Disposing of any unsalvageable wet materials to decrease the risk of mold growth
  
  

What happens after extraction?

Extraction is just one part of the flood cleanup process.

SERVPRO technicians will set up fans and air movers to evaporate water from the surface of carpets, walls, and furniture. We monitor the moisture and humidity levels at every stage of drying to ensure the levels in your home are acceptable. We also set up dehumidifiers to remove water from the air and create a drier environment. 

We know that dealing with your doctors to get new medications is stressful. Although we cannot help you with the medical side of things, we can lighten the load by coordinating with your home insurer and providing information about your claim. We will also coordinate any necessary home repairs, such as laying down new carpet or replacing water-damaged insulation.

SERVPRO of North Mississauga technicians will keep you in the loop at every stage of the cleanup process. You will never have to wonder what will happen next, what it will cost, or how long it will take – our team will keep you abreast of all vital information.

Will my home smell damp after flood extraction?

We understand that damp smells are a concern for our customers. No one wants to be left with a wet-smelling home. After water extraction and drying, we will deodorize your home using air scrubbers, activated carbon filters, and odor-fighting pellets. We can also use fogging or an ozone generator to fill your home with odor-fighting compounds that get into every nook and cranny.

We understand that a flood is stressful, and there are many things to worry about after it. That is why we take care of assessment, extraction, drying, and deodorizing, so you do not have to concern yourself with those. We aim to leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

For help with flood damage, call SERVPRO of North Mississauga at (905) 238-7376.