Carla Mullins (Body Organics) has been busy assisting in the clean up of her apartment building and street after being impacted by the flood waters in Brisbane.
She is keen to share a few points to help you all stay safe during the flood clean up from a PAA member with first hand experience in the flood affected areas, Thanks, Carla!
Skin
Flood waters contain a lot of bacteria that can be dangerous. Wear surgical gloves to keep hands dry under your thick gardening gloves when handling debris.
Check skin for scrapes and cuts, no matter how small disinfect and cover with water proof dressing. Check and change dressing daily. If it starts to feel hot or look very red, head to your doctor immediately as it could turn into something like cellulitis.
As teachers it is important to be observant with clients as they return to the studio and bring their attention to any cuts or scrapes that are not healing over the coming weeks.
Food and Water
Set up a food water station for your street, this is a great task for people who want to help with clean up but can’t do the lifting etc. Large bottles or containers of clean water, fresh sandwiches, oranges, fruit and biscuits are good choices.
Wet wipes for people to clean their hands before eating, disinfectant for hands and napkins to handle food.
People at the feeding station can also be looking out for looters (yes there are many) and checking and covering any cuts or wounds.
Band Together
One person in your street could be responsible for chasing up the council for rubbish removal.
One, to contact the local MP (or other local official) to organize Centrelink teams to come to speak to your street, or set up in local community centre to help people with claims for disaster payments.
Debrief and chat
At the end of each day have all the workers and people in the street sit down stand around for half an hour to have a chat and debrief to help each other with the mental and emotional strain.
Finally be kind!
Share your advice: If you have further advice for safety while cleaning up after floods please email support@pilates.org.au so we can add to this list.
Flood Affected? What can we do to help?
This is a general call out regarding the flooding that is currently impacting communities in Australia.
Have you been impacted? Is there anything we can do to help? Please drop us a line to let us know how the PAA might be able to help.
Are you in a position to help out those who have been impacted? We are thinking you may have some equipment that is surplus to your needs that you could donate. Or perhaps you would like to make a financial donation. Or run a fundraising event. Again, please let us know if you can assist or have any ideas for ways to help.
Please drop a line to info@pilates.org.au
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