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Beware of Post-Typhoon Hazards
By Jojo Santo Tomas
Pacific Daily News
December 17, 2002
Wet carpets and furniture, combined with dirt and a humid environment, can
create another problem -- mold. Although most people are not affected, those
with allergies can develop asthma-like symptoms.
"Hygiene is very important," says Dr. A.J. Smith, an ophthalmologist. "Whatever
allergens near the face and eyes need to be flushed out. I would just encourage
almost seemingly excessive hygiene for your eyes and face, and seek attention if
it doesn't resolve by a day or two."
Cleaning
Residents can use a 10 percent bleach solution in water to clean and sanitize
walls and some furniture, although it's also likely to discolor fabric, said Jim
McFerran, sales and service manager for Advance Management. Whatever towel,
sponges, and other items you clean with should be sealed in a trash bag and
thrown away, and the clothes you wear when cleaning should be washed in hot
water, if possible.
"For carpet cleaning, you want a professional to do it. Anything a normal person
could do would be less effective and not long-term," he said. "If mold is
already there, we can use certain commercial chemicals and steam cleaning, which
also kills the mold."
McFerran said his office has received many calls from people trying to rescue
their carpets. He said they can expect to pay up to 40 cents per square foot to
have a carpet cleaned.
"The No. 1 thing we tell our customers is that if the carpet is wet, get the
furniture off of it or put something, anything between the two," he said.
"Don't wait. The natural matter or stain from the wood will be leached into the
carpet, and it won't come out." |
