Hygiene, Handwashing, and Diapering

Keeping hands clean during an emergency helps prevent the spread of germs. If your tap water is not safe to use, wash your hands with soap and water that has been made safe to use. See the handwashing section below for more information on how to keep hands clean during an emergency.

Bathing or showering after a water-related emergency should only be done with clean, safe water. Sometimes water that is not safe to drink can be used for bathing, but be careful not to swallow any water or get it in your eyes.

If you have a drinking water well, listen to your local health authorities for advice on using your well water for showering and bathing. If extensive flooding has occurred or you suspect that your well may be contaminated, contact your local, state, or tribal health department for specific advice on well testing and disinfection.

Brushing your teeth after a water-related emergency should only be done with clean, safe water. Listen to local authorities to find out if tap water is safe to use.

Visit Making Water Safe in an Emergency for more information about making your water safe for brushing your teeth.

Keeping wounds clean and covered is crucial during an emergency. Open wounds and rashes exposed to flood water can become infected 1. To protect yourself and your family:

• Avoid contact with flood waters if you have an open wound.
• Cover clean, open wounds with a waterproof bandage to reduce chance of infection.
• Keep open wounds as clean as possible by washing well with soap and clean water.
• If a wound develops redness, swelling, or oozing, seek immediate medical care.
• Vibrios are naturally occurring bacteria that live in certain coastal waters. They can cause a skin infection when an open wound is exposed to salt water or a mix of salt and fresh water, which can occur during floods.

The risk for injury during and after a hurricane and other natural disasters is high. Prompt first aid can help heal small wounds and prevent infection. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after providing first aid for a wound to help prevent infection. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% if soap and water are not available. Tetanus, other bacterial infections, and fungal infections are potential health threats for persons who have open wounds.

Visit Emergency Wound Care After a Natural Disaster and listen to the short PSA Emergency Wound Care after a Disaster to find complete information on caring for wounds.
Healthcare professionals should visit Emergency Wound Management for Healthcare Professionals and Management of Vibrio vulnificus Wound Infections After a Disaster.

References

1. CDC. Vibrio illnesses after Hurricane Katrina — multiple states, August-September 2005. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2005;54(37):928-31.

Additional Hygiene Information

• Household Cleaning & Sanitizing. Information on how to keep surfaces clean to avoid the spread of germs.
• Flood Waters or Standing Waters. Steps to protect yourself and your family from potentially-contaminated flood water.
• Guidelines for the Management of Acute Diarrhea for Healthcare Providers. Acute diarrhea may occur in post-disaster situations where access to electricity, clean water, and sanitary facilities is limited.