FLOOD CLEANUP IS DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN

The Cape Girardeau Area Safe Kids Coalition advises parents to be protective of young children as the floodwaters recede and cleanup begins.

"They're meant to be helpful, but harmless-looking buckets of water and cleaning solutions as well as gas-powered fans drying out the basement could kill or seriously injure your child," said Cathy Magas, coordinator of the Cape Girardeau Area Safe Kids Coalition.

Families involved in flood cleanup who have small children underfoot need to be especially aware that they can be poisoned by ingesting drugs, household cleaners and bleach, and by exposure to carbon monoxide and lead.

Magas said the most dangerous container to have near small children is a 5-gallon bucket designed to hold heavy materials such as paint, detergent or dry-wall compound without tipping over.

"These containers are handy for mopping and cleaning around the house or washing cars," Magas said. "But when left upright and full of cleaning solutions, parents are putting their child at risk of drowning and poisoning.

"Curious toddlers are in the most danger because they are top-heavy and cannot get themselves out or call for help in time," she said.

"Actually, any size bucket containing a solution of household cleaners or bleach should be watched closely when small children are around and then dumped out and put away promptly."

Magas said poisoning is especially a problem during flood cleanup times when families are tired, busy and stressed.

Another hazard is gas-powered equipment used without proper ventilation, she said. Gas-powered engines produce carbon monoxide, which can overcome small children without warning. Like other poisons, carbon monoxide can cause death or serious injury, Magas said.

The Safe Kids Coalition also warns that children playing in and around floodwaters are in danger of drowning, near-drowning or other injuries. Potential hazards include contaminated water, unknown currents, objects concealed underwater and sudden immersion from wading in varying water depths.

"Parents and care-givers should keep children out of all floodwater areas," said Magas. "Even soil areas that have been constantly wetted from floodwaters are hazardous until the area has been assessed and cleaned up."

Parents also should be wary of standing water in buckets, tubs or other receptacle.

"Children can drown in as little as an inch of water in the time it takes to answer the telephone or door bell," Magas said. "Children under age 4 have drowned in pails of water and other liquid containers left standing in the home."

The Coalition urges parents to take the following precautions when storing water in containers or the bathtub:

Store containers of liquid out of the reach of small children and, preferably, in a separate room with the door closed.

Never leave toddlers alone with any large container or bathtub full of water.

Always be aware that small children have a natural curiosity and will want to play in water buckets, bathtubs, toilet bowls, wading pools and pools of standing water in the yard.

Empty buckets and other open containers of water as soon as possible.