[unable to retrieve full-text content]Stifling heat, humidity to follow Barry in southern US AccuWeather.com
AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures are about to soar to as high as 110 degrees in some parts of the southern U.S. now that Barry has moved on out.
Most people look at their home as a safe place. You think of your home as a place to rest, to heal, to rejuvenate and live. Some of the things in our home that could hurt us were brought into our home by the homeowner. There’s a lot we can do to make your home safer.
1. Stick to a regular cleaning schedule. Wipe all surfaces with a damp cloth rather than dry dusting, which can often just brushes dust back into the air. Have a no-shoes policy and beef up doormats. Your clothing and shoes bring in a lot of unwanted dust, pollen and animal life. Good interior and exterior doormats will trap dirt from your shoes. Provide everyone with a pair of clean slippers. Get vacuum cleaner with a sealed HEPA filter to trap allergens.
2. Try to remove all carpeting. Wall-to-wall carpeting is very difficult to keep clean. Whenever possible install hard flooring. Use area rugs made of wool, cotton, bamboo or hemp.
3. Store all food in airtight glass containers. That includes pet food.
Don’t tempt bugs and mice.
4. Be careful with your cleaning supplies. Harsh chemical cleaners can cause a lot of problems. It’s quite easy to find safe and effective cleaners if you read the label. Buy products that are free of dyes, perfumes and chemicals you don’t know. Using spray furniture cleaner, glass cleaner or a spray air freshener just once a week can increase your risk of developing asthma by up to 75%.
5. Cover all your mattresses and pillows. Use zip on dust mite covers to protect you while sleeping. Clean under your bed. Clutter can attract dust and make it harder to clean.
6. All of your bedding, towels and kitchen towels should be washed in hot water or dried on a high temperature. Always dry clothing completely. Damp clothing will create an environment for mildew and mold to grow. Don’t let dirty items hang around. Dirty clothes attract moths. Keep your closets fresh and bug free by washing and thoroughly drying items before storing them.
7. Keep your bathroom clean and well ventilated to the outside. This will help you deal with mildew and mold. If mold does build up use a cleaner that is used to kill mold. Use this cleaner as directed.
8. Keep animals out of the bedroom.
9. Open your windows to let in fresh air. Use your fireplace sparely. Don’t allow smoking in your house.
10. Remove any mold in your basement. Use concrete or hard wood flooring. Repair any leaks or water damage. Use a dehumidifier to reduce dampness in your basement. Be sure to clean your dehumidifier at least once a week.
11. Keep the temperature in your home between 68 F (20 C) and 72 F (22 C) and try to keep humidity 50 percent or below. Clean or replace filters in your central heating and cooling systems and in room air conditioners at least once a month.
12. Control insects and mice with inexpensive traps. You can also hire a professional exterminator. Remove all insect and mouse droppings. Try to prevent re-infestation.
13. Try to buy furniture made of leather, wood and metal. Dust mites can infest fabric-covered furniture but can’t penetrate leather. You should never sit on your furniture until you’ve changed the clothing you wore outside.
14. If you have potted plants spread aquarium gravel over the dirt to help control mold. Clean out dead leaves. Don’t overwater your plants.
15. Don’t leave dirty dishes around. Wash your dishes, sink and faucets everyday to remove mold and food debris. Always clean your cabinets and countertops with detergent and water. Frequently check under-sink cabinets for plumbing leaks. Clean your refrigerator regularly and pay close attention to door gaskets and drip pans where mold can grow. Install an exhaust fan over the stove that vents to the outside to get rid of cooking fumes and reduce moisture in your kitchen. Fumes from your stove can contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heterocyclic amines, higher and mutated aldehydes and fine and ultrafine particles that can cause cancer. Having an exhaust fan reduces your risk.
16. Don’t use room air fresheners. Most air fresheners emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause a lot of health problems. VOCs have also been shown to cause headaches.
17. Remove wallpaper in your bathroom and install tile or paint the walls with mold-resistant enamel paint. Install a ventilation fan that is vented to the outside. Change your vinyl shower curtain. Vinyl shower curtains also emit VOCs and other potentially lung-irritating compounds, like phthalates. Natural fiber curtains can be thrown into the wash.
18. Your laser printers can emit VOCs and particles that have been associated with asthma. Those VOCs can also harm your lungs. Keep your printer in a well-ventilated area at least 10 feet away from your desk.
19. Clean your ceiling fans so they don’t spread accumulated dust particles throughout the house.
20. Use radiator heating instead of forced air. Forced air heating can harbor mold. Have your ducts cleaned at least once every five years.
Before starting your fitness program, consult your physician.
Are you thinking about a buying a new car? The Better Business Bureau is warning you to do your homework, especially after flooding earlier this year.
Experts say a lot of cars caught in the flooding end up on used car lots across the country.
But if you are not careful, buying one of those cars could mean several trips to the repair shop.
Kuhly’s Import Specialists owner Mark Kuhlmeier said he has seen it all when it comes to flood damaged cars.
He’s seen vehicles with no mechanical problems and some with major issues.
Rust and mold under the seats, carpet, engine area can be obvious in a flooded car but he adds there are also less visible problems like electrical issues and steering.
“It can be very costly that’s why the insurance company usually totals them out and then if you purchase a car that’s been underwater, you may get it at a good value because you may be able to save it,” Kuhlmeier said.
BBB Quincy Regional Director Mara Clingingsmith advises people to always check the car history by VIN number and ask for the title, check the date and place of transfer, and see if the car came from a flood-damaged area.
More tips from the Better Business Bureau:
Thoroughly inspect the vehicle. -There are spaces where obvious signs of flood damage may be detectable. Check under the vehicle’s carpets for mud or rust, smell the underside of the carpet to see if they smell like mildew. Look for mud or debris on the underside of brackets or panels where it wouldn’t settle normally. Check the engine compartment, waterlines and debris can appear in hard to clean areas. Check the seat mounting screws to see if there is any evidence they have been removed to clean or replace carpets. Don’t forget to inspect the trunk as well. A strong smell of disinfectant or air freshener could be a sign that the seller is trying to mask a mold or mildew problem.
Understand “salvage” and “flooded” titles – A “salvage title” means the car was declared a total loss by an insurance company because of a serious accident or some other problems. A “flood title” means the car has damage from sitting in water deep enough to fill the engine compartment. The title status is part of the vehicle’s history report. Either way, every used car needs an inspection and records before you buy. With salvage and flood titled cars, you need to be extra careful as unscrupulous companies and individuals will attempt to mislead buyers by withholding information or intentionally hiding a car’s history through a process called “title washing”.
Do your research – Check the car dealer’s BBB Business Profile at www.bbb.org to see if they have a history of complaints. Ask the dealer directly if the car has been damaged in a flood. Get your answers in writing and walk away if the seller is unwilling to provide clear evidence.
Seek advice from a trusted mechanic.- Before you buy any used car, you should always get a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic. The extra cost may save you money in the long run if major problems are discovered.
source https://wgem.com/2019/07/16/what-you-need-to-know-about-buying-vehicles-damaged-in-flood-waters/
[unable to retrieve full-text content]Nebraska Prairie Museum closed due to flood damage KLKN
After recent floods caused damage to many communities in Nebraska, a museum in Holdrege has been forced to temporarily close its facility until further notice.
source https://www.klkntv.com/story/40792628/nebraska-prairie-museum-closed-due-to-flood-damage
Machelle Pearson, former inmate at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility, speaks out about poor health conditions that gave her a rash. Kimberly P. Mitchell, Detroit Free Press
LANSING — After years of denials that ventilation problems are endangering inmates at Michigan’s only women’s prison, a state agency cited health concerns to justify spending nearly half a million dollars to install new exhaust fans in more than half the prison’s 15 units.
But after the Corrections Department complained about the Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) pointing to a lack of ventilation and health risks to justify the project at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility, DTMB retreated on the description Friday and said it made a mistake.
In restrooms and shower rooms in eight residential units at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility, “existing exhaust fans are beyond repair, resulting in limited to no ventilation,” DTMB said in an unsigned memo received July 9 by the Building Committee of the State Administrative Board.
“Lack of proper ventilation results in potential health and safety issues for prisoners and staff,” the department said in justifying a $488,000 no-bid add-on to an existing construction contract.
The description provided by DTMB is consistent with what current and former prisoners have repeatedly said about poor ventilation in the prison generally, and in the restrooms and shower rooms specifically.
Prisoners say a lack of ventilation in restrooms and shower rooms has caused moisture to bead on the ceilings, form mold and mildew, and drip on them while they use the facilities.
«It was just disgusting, and this mildewy drip would be on you,» said Tammy Jo Williams, who spent 10 years at the women’s prison, which houses more than 2,000 inmates, before her parole in November 2017.
Also, a 2018 physical plant report on Women’s Huron Valley documents much broader problems with the prison’s ventilation system, as well as both current and historical problems with leaky roofs and water damage.
However, DTMB retreated on its description of the problem Friday and said it would file an amended explanation for replacing the exhaust fans, after the Corrections Department raised objections.
DTMB’s description of why the additional work is needed «is not accurate and they did not show it to us before it was made public,» Corrections Department spokesman Chris Gautz said in an email.
«What’s really happening is we have a good ventilation system in our showers, but after some analysis, it was determined it could be more efficient,» resulting in the request for «a routine maintenance project,» he said.
Caleb Buhs, a spokesman for DTMB, said the agency’s officials gleaned the explanation from «conversations our project manager had with the MDOC staff and the contractor.» But the project justification should have made clear «the fans are not currently causing a ventilation problem,» and «the concern is that the fans are nearing the end of their useful life and could fail in the future, causing ventilation issues until a repair or replacement could be completed,» Buhs said.
David Steingold, a Detroit attorney who has interviewed many current and former prisoners, said it’s significant that a state agency documented a problem that prisoners have long complained about — even if it then backtracked on what it said.
«Of course, they don’t want anyone acknowledging what they’ve been denying for years,» Steingold said of the Corrections Department. «This is a CYA (cover your a—) if I’ve ever seen one.»
The Corrections Department has repeatedly denied or downplayed such complaints, and in December 2018 sent the Free Press sanitation inspection reports that said ventilation systems were generally “operating within design parameters.”
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, both moisture and a lack of ventilation contribute to mold, which reproduces by means of tiny spores that are invisible to the naked eye, float in the air, and can cause allergic reactions such as runny noses, red eyes, and skin rashes, among other health problems.
An Aug. 7, 2018, report to Warden Shawn Brewer from Richard Bullard, who was then the physical plant superintendent at the women’s prison, made no mention of mold but cited issues related to both moisture and ventilation.
For the prison’s west side housing units, «the entire HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system needs to be replaced,» while on the east side, air handlers and other equipment need to be replaced, along with the roofs over the Dickinson and Calhoun housing units, the report said. The report also calls for work «to cover up water damage» from past leaks throughout the prison complex, on both the west and east sides.
Gautz said that just because an official said the HVAC system needs to be replaced does not mean it isn’t working. The systems cited in the report «are on a list of identified items to be replaced, but in the meantime, if they break, they will be repaired,» he said.
In May, the Free Press reported on a spike in deaths in 2018 at the women’s prison near Ypsilanti, where the 10 prisoner deaths last year resulted in a death rate 89% higher than the national prison death rate.
Though it was not linked to any of the deaths, at least 200 women housed in the prison suffered from a scabies outbreak that lasted more than a year before it was accurately diagnosed at the end of 2018 and properly treated.
Gautz said Friday «no mold has been found at the facility,» and no evidence links any of the 2018 deaths to mold. Of the 10 deaths, five were from cancer, two from heart attacks, one from leukemia, one from a stroke, and one from a prescription drug overdose, Gautz said.
More: Michigan prisoners dying behind bars at highest rate in decades
More: Michigan to pay $860K to settle lawsuit over suicide at women’s prison
Williams, 52, who was sent to prison for criminal enterprise conspiracy, said there was poor ventilation throughout the Dickinson building, where she lived, and particularly in the shower rooms.
Prisoners couldn’t see through the steamy mist, and condensation and mildew formed on the ceiling, Williams said.
Whenever there was going to be an inspection by someone from prison headquarters or an outside agency, prisoners would be given bleach and ordered to scrub the ceilings, but the problem persisted, she said.
Roof leaks during rain storms were another recurrent problem, she said.
Prisoner Rebecca Smith, 44, who is serving time for homicide and lives in a different building — Gladwin — has given similar accounts there of women having to use toilet paper to wipe condensation off the toilet seats in the restroom, before they could sit on them.
And Machelle Pearson, 52, who served more than 30 years behind bars after her conviction for a 1983 homicide when she was a juvenile, said she saw black mold in the Gladwin units when she worked as a porter who cleaned the restrooms prior to her August parole.
In the shower area, an entire corner of the tile ceiling was eaten away by mold, and because of a lack of ventilation, condensation would drip on the prisoners and their clothes while they showered, Pearson said.
During the brief period early in 2018 when the Gladwin housing unit was under quarantine because of the rash eventually diagnosed as scabies, inmates were directed to paint over the black mold with white paint, Pearson told the Free Press.
Both Dickinson and Gladwin are on the east side of the prison complex, where an Aug. 1, 2018 sanitation inspection report prepared by prison staff said ventilation systems were «operating within design parameters» and «filters are routinely changed.» The report did note «excessive debris» in the ventilation system inside Gladwin, recommending that it be thoroughly cleaned.
But the physical plant report, prepared at about the same time, provides a different perspective on the ventilation systems, while pointing out other problems related to moisture.
That report to Brewer said that on the west side of the prison complex, the entire HVAC system in housing units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 was 43 years old, but that such systems had a life expectancy of only 20 to 25 years.
«Essentially, the entire HVAC system needs to be replaced,» Bullard wrote.
The HVAC systems «are as old as the building and most of its equipment and accessories are obsolete and not readily replaceable.»
On the east side, the roofs in both the Dickinson and Calhoun units need to be replaced, and in both of those buildings, plus in Emmett, Filmore, Gladwin, and Lenawee buildings, «restroom and shower exhaust systems need to be upgraded,» the report said.
The new restroom and shower room exhaust fans are all going on the east side, Gautz said. The work is a $488,489 change order to a 2017 construction contract for HVAC controls and components. Initially awarded to Miller-Boldt, Inc. of Sterling Heights for $1.6 million, the value of the contract has ballooned to $5.6 million, through a series of 14 change orders.
The 2018 physical plant report identified roof leaks in both the Dickinson and Calhoun buildings and water damage to walls in several housing units.
Leaky roofs have been an ongoing problem at the women’s prison, confirmed by both prisoners and former staff. On the west side, the roofs over Unit 6 and the field house recreation area were replaced in 2016. On the east side, the roofs on the Emmett, Filmore, Gladwin, and Harrison buildings were replaced in 2014 and the roof on the Jennings Building/school/Lenawee temporary housing unit was being replaced in 2018, the report said.
The roofs on Dickinson and Calhoun are being replaced this year, Gautz said.
There have been no new confirmed cases of scabies since the entire women’s prison was treated for the outbreak early this year, Gautz said.
«There have been prisoners complaining of rash; however, that is not uncommon in this heat and humidity,» he said.
Steingold, the attorney, believes that some of the skin rashes experienced in the prison are the result of mold mites, which can thrive in conditions of high humidity and can also cause allergic reactions in some people.
«The ventilation will help the mold problem a lot,» Steingold said. «Why it has taken 10 years is beyond me.»
Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4.
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Read more on how to file a claim from FEMA.
After experiencing a flood, contact your agent or insurance company to file a claim. Make sure you have the following information handy:
An adjuster should contact you within a few days of filing your claim. If you do not hear from an adjuster, you can contact your insurance agent or company again.
Separate damaged from undamaged property. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage to your home and possessions to prepare your repair estimate.
Officials may require disposal of damaged items so, if possible, place flooded items outside of the home.
Your adjuster will assist you in preparing a Proof of Loss (which is your sworn statement of the amount you are claiming including necessary supporting documentation) for your official claim for damages. A Proof of Loss can be many things, but must contain the specific details set forth in the Standard Flood Insurance Policy. You’ll need to file your Proof of Loss with your insurance company within 60 days of the flood. This document substantiates the insurance claim and is required before the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or insurance company can make payment.
You’ll receive your claim payment after you and the insurer agree on the amount of damages and the insurer has your complete, accurate, and signed Proof of Loss. If major catastrophic flooding occurs, it may take longer to process claims and make payments because of the sheer number of claims submitted.
source https://ready.nola.gov/incident/potential-tropical-cyclone/recovery-information/
«What they need to remember is, once they have taken it out, they’re stirring up the mold spores as they are taking this stuff out,» Hastings said. «So there is still going to be mold in their house and they need to have it cleaned after everything is torn out. Otherwise, those mold spores are still there. And, if it gets wet again, it will start to grow again.»
source https://www.kfvs12.com/2019/07/13/flooded-homes-bring-water-damage-mold/
As residents prepare for potential heavy rainfall and possible flooding as a result of Tropical Storm Berry, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) urges anyone involved in clean up to be aware of the health risks.
Flood water and sewer overflows can contain bacteria, viruses and other organisms that cause disease.
Basic Precautions
These basic precautions and cleaning tips for your home can help to keep you safe and healthy:
Avoid skin contact with flood water, and keep cuts and sores clean and covered.
Do not allow children to play in flood water.
Do not eat or drink anything exposed to flood water.
Wash hands frequently.
Contact your local health unit for information about septic system inspection.
Mold
Things that are wet for two or more days, including carpets and rugs, often have mold growing on them, even if you can’t see the mold. Mold can make the air in your home unhealthy and affect people with asthma, allergies or other breathing problems.
Get rid of any contaminated objects that cannot be thoroughly cleaned.
Wash contaminated surfaces and objects with warm, soapy water and disinfect with a bleach and water solution made of one cup of bleach per one gallon of water. Home or laundry disinfectant can be used for objects that would be damaged by bleach.
Do not use ammonia. Ammonia vapors mixed with bleach vapors create a poisonous gas.
Private Well Water
Private wells impacted by flooding will need to be tested for total coliforms and E. coli, which are indicators of bacterial contamination in drinking water.
Do not drink water from a well until it has been disinfected and tested.
Do not turn on the pump before consulting with an electrician, as there is a risk of electrical shock.
Tetanus
Due to the likelihood of a debris-related injury after a flood, it is recommended that all responders and residents make sure that they are up-to-date with the tetanus shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommends the diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccination (DTaP for those younger than seven; Tdap or Td for those seven years or older) across the lifespan:
Infants and children should receive five doses of DTaP by the time they reach six years of age.
Adolescents should receive a single dose of Tdap between 11 and 12 years of age.
Pregnant women should receive a single dose of Tdap during every pregnancy.
Adults should receive a single dose of Td every 10 years.
Adults who are eligible to receive a Td, but have never had a Tdap, should receive a Tdap.
If you receive a wound, you should still see your doctor as other medicines or treatment may be needed. Tetanus vaccines are available at Local Health Units and in many doctor’s offices and pharmacies.
There is a Local Health Unit in every county, and a listing can be found at: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/health-units. If you are unsure whether you are up-to-date with tetanus vaccination, you should be able to confirm that information with the provider who administered the vaccine. If you are unable to confirm whether you are up-to-date, it is safe to get another shot.
CLICK HERE to see the Flood Water Safety page on the ADH website.
CLICK HERE to read more regional news on our website.
July 12, 2019 — Tropical Storm Barry is looming ever closer to residents of Louisiana.
Concerns about heavy rains and flooding aren’t limited to Louisiana. Mississippi, the Florida Panhandle, and Alabama are also at risk of flooding and extreme rain. President Donald Trump declared a federal emergency for Louisiana to start coordinating relief efforts between the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Residents are boarding up storefronts and setting up storm barriers to cut the chance of flood damage. Taking action before the storm may help lessen problems during and after the storm.
After a storm, you and your family might face flooding, downed power lines, damage from mold, and other risks to your health.
Food
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued recommendations:
Water
Do not use water you suspect or have been told is contaminated to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice, or make baby formula.
After the storm has passed and cleanup is possible, major threats may still be lurking, such as gas leaks, debris, and sewage. Bugs, particularly mosquitoes, will be plentiful. Protect yourself with an approved repellant.
When the water recedes, mold is likeliy.
Exposure to mold can lead to an asthma attack, allergic reactions, or eye and skin irritations. Avoid contaminated buildings and contaminated water as much as you can. Mold is tricky. If you were not able to dry your home within 24 to 48 hours after a storm, there is a chance you have mold. Everything needs to be completely dried, even furniture, to prevent heath issues.
To clean mold, mix a cup of household bleach with a gallon of uncontaminated water. Or lightly mist mold spores with rubbing alcohol.
Do not mix bleach with ammonia, because it can create toxic vapors.
If the problem remains, you might need a professional mold service.
source https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20190712/tropical-storm-barry-what-to-know-and-do
A plumbing emergency has forced the closure of the clubhouse bathrooms serving the pool and tennis facilities at the former Milton Country Club, and the city is bringing in portable toilets to serve for the duration of the outage.
A bathroom trailer with water and air conditioning was to arrive and be installed Thursday afternoon, while an ADA-compliant portable toilet, without stairs, was to be delivered Friday, according to a city spokeswoman. The outage does not affect the outdoor showers at the city-owned property.
Milton officials said staff discovered a leak while repairing a stall in the women’s bathroom. A third-party plumbing inspector brought in by the city assessed the subflooring and closed basement ceiling “(and) identified extensive water damage and what appeared to be mold,” the city said.
Milton ordered the bathrooms closed as soon as the presence of mold was confirmed. The portable facilities will be in service until repairs and remediation are completed. The city did not say how long that might be.
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Damage Mold 