After flooding, it is important to know how to clean up safely.

Listen to local authorities to determine when it is safe for you to return home. Do not return home until local officials indicate it is safe to do so. Stay vigilant and monitor radio or TV stations for local emergency management officials' guidance.

Ensure water is safe to drink, cook, or clean with after a flood. Oftentimes local officials put a boil water order in place following a flood or hurricane.

Remember, never run a generator inside your home, and keep it away from windows, doors, and vents.

Tips from FEMA for clean-up after returning home:

• Always wear protective clothing including long-sleeved shirts, long pants, rubber or plastic gloves and waterproof boots or shoes.
• Before entering your home, look outside for damaged power lines, gas lines, and other exterior damage.
• Take photos of your damage before you begin to clean up and save repair receipts.
• Get rid of mold. Mold may have contaminated your home, which raises the health risk for those with asthma, allergies, and breathing conditions. Refer to the Center for Disease Control for more info on mold .
• Open doors and windows so your house can air out before spending any length of time inside.
• Turn off main electrical power and water systems and do not use gas appliances until a professional can ensure they are safe.
• Check all ceilings and floors for signs of sagging or other potentially dangerous structural damage.
• Throw out all foods, beverages, and medicines exposed to flood waters or mud including canned goods and containers with food or liquid.
• Throw out any items that absorb water and you cannot clean or disinfect (i.e. mattresses, carpeting, stuffed animals, etc.).
• Beware of snakes, insects, and other animals that may be on your property or in your home.
• Remove all drywall and insulation that has been in contact with floodwaters.
• Clean all hard surfaces (flooring, countertops, appliances, sinks, etc.) thoroughly with hot water and soap or detergent.

To learn more about what to do before, during, and after a flood or a hurricane,  visit www.ready.gov/floods , Prepareathon's™ Flood and Hurricane pages and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Flood Water After an Emergency or Disaster .

If you experienced a flood or other damages due to recent hurricane activity, please visit www.disasterassistance.gov to register for federal assistance.

The fourth week of National Preparedness Month (NPM) 2017 begins on Sunday, September 24.

Each week NPM focuses on a different preparedness action. The theme for September 24-30 is Get Involved! Be a Part of Something Larger . Share preparedness information or create a preparedness program for your community, campus, business, or faith-based organization. Consider the following preparedness steps from the Ready Campaign :

• Join Campus CERT or Ready Campus activities.
• Get your  business ,  faith-based organization ,  and community prepared for an emergency.
• Register to volunteer with a voluntary or faith-based organization active in disaster. Visit www.nvoad.org to learn more.
• Become a  Weather-Ready Nation  Ambassador .

If you plan to host a preparedness event, we encourage you to share it on the Prepareathon™ website .

You can find more resources including the weekly themes, graphics, videos, and social media content in the NPM Toolkit .

Disasters can leave children feeling frightened, confused, and insecure. Whether a child has personally experienced trauma or seen the event on television, it is important for parents to be informed and ready to help ease their child's stress.  

According to child psychologists, children may respond to disaster by demonstrating fears, sadness, or behavioral problems. These reactions may vary depending on the child's age.

Adult behavior, thoughts, and feelings often influence children's reactions. Parents can help meet their child's emotional needs by:

• Encouraging him or her to share thoughts and feelings about the incident;
• Clarifying misunderstandings about risk and danger by listening to their child's concerns and answering questions;
• Maintaining a sense of calm by validating their child's concerns and perceptions with discussion of concrete plans for safety; and
• Monitoring or limiting exposure to the media.

For more information about helping children cope with disaster, visit www.ready.gov/coping-with-disaster .