Health and Home Advice

Department of Health – Health Advice Kimberley – Kriol Translation

Department of Health – Health Advice Kimberley – English

Mosquitos

Mosquito activity is expected to increase. As mosquitoes can carry a range of illnesses, you should protect yourself by using mosquito repellent and cover with long, loose-fitting clothing.

Do not enter floodwaters as you risk drowning or being seriously injured.
To prevent illness, avoid contact with floodwater – it is dirty and can be mixed with sewage from overflowing toilets and toilet systems.
Assume anything touched by floodwater is dirty.
Wear closed shoes, especially outdoors, if possible.
- Wash your hands and affected areas of the body thoroughly with clean warm water and soap or use hand sanitiser, especially before eating.
- Wash any wounds that come into contact with floodwater as soon as possible with clean water.
- Cover cuts and abrasions, preferably with waterproof dressings.
- Remove clothes that are dirty from the floodwater.
- If possible, wash and dry feet (and footwear) if you have walked in floodwater.

Remember wildlife may have been washed into your home during or sought high ground.
If the house looks badly damaged and unsafe do not enter.
When returning home please be mindful everything that has been in contact with flood water is dirty.

Flood Clean up information

Australian Red Cross information

Using mains (tap) water:

If you are in a flood affected area, your water provider will let you know if the tap water is unsafe to use and will issue a Boil Water notice.

Food and Medicine

Throw out any food or medicine that has come into contact with floodwater and might be dirty.
If the power goes out, refrigerated food can be used for up to four hours; after this it will have to be thrown out. Frozen foods last for up to 24 hours after the power goes out.
If the power goes out for more than four hours contact your medical clinic for advice about any medicines that need to be stored in the fridge.