• Check outside the home for obvious structural faults. Do not enter if serious structural damage is evident. If in doubt, have a qualified building inspector check you home.

• Examine the exterior for gas leaks or electrical hazards. If possible, turn your gas off at the meter. If you can access your main electric box without going through standing water or entering the home, turn off the main breaker. If the gas or electrical controls are inside the home, turn them off only after it has been deemed safe to enter your home by qualified emergency personnel or a building inspector.

• Upon entering, go slowly and carefully while watching for hazards. Beware of jammed doors, sagging ceilings or floors that suggest structural collapse. Leave immediately if you hear shifting or unusual noises that signal the structure may fall or if you smell gas.

• Do not operate gas or electrical equipment until it has been dried, cleaned and inspected. Some equipment such as hot water heaters may need to be replaced entirely if floodwaters have reached the burners, electrical parts or insulation. Replace only with certified equipment. Check for broken, leaky or shifted water and gas pipes and lines before use.

Carbon Monoxide:

• Check chimneys and vents for dirt, debris and leaks before using wood burning or gas appliances. Any blockages may lead to unsafe or fatal levels of carbon monoxide in the home.

• Fuel powered generators, pumps, barbecues, camping stoves and equipment exhaust are all dangerous in confined spaces. Never use such items indoors, in an attached garage or next to an open window. Using battery operated, certified carbon monoxide alarms can alert you to dangerous levels of fumes.

Water and Mold

• Beware of standing water inside and out that can be breeding ground for micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and mold. When floodwaters have sewage or animal carcasses present, infectious disease is an added concern. Do not use contaminated water for cooking or washing.

• Everything that has been touched by floodwaters should be cleaned and disinfected. Materials that cannot be effectively cleaned, such as carpeting, mattresses, and stuffed toys or stuffed furniture should be discarded. Remove and discard wet wallboard/drywall/gypsum and insulation.

• Start the drying process as soon as possible by opening all windows and doors to allow fresh air to move freely. Use fans and dehumidifiers certified by an accredited organization such as CSA International to aid the drying process.

• If your basement remains flooded, drain it slowly and carefully only when standing water outside the home is no longer visible on the ground. Removing water too quickly from your basement may put pressure on your home’s outer walls and significantly damage or collapse your foundation. 

• Heating and air conditioning ducts may have mud or debris and may need to be cleaned and disinfected.

Generators and Emergency Power

• Use generators carefully and always follow instructions, ensuring your generator is rated for the amount of electricity you will need. To prevent shock, the generator must be properly grounded. Only use generators that have been tested and certified by an accredited organization such as CSA International.

• Do not connect a generator directly to a home’s wiring, which could send high-voltage current or “backfeed” to outside power lines connected to your house. Backfeed could be fatal to electrical workers, neighbours or anyone that touches the power line and may cause additional damage to your home.

• To prevent fires, never refuel a generator when it’s running or while still hot and keep an appropriate fire extinguisher nearby at all times. Be sure to store fuel containers outside and away from buildings or combustibles.

• If you must use an extension cord, ensure it’s certified for outdoor use and check it often for over heating. Do not attach multiple extension cords.

• Consider using portable solar panels and battery units for smaller appliances.

Tool Safety

• Make sure all power tools are certified by an accredited certification organization such as CSA International and always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions.

• Do not use electrical tools in wet locations and make sure all tools and appliances are properly grounded and double insulated. Mud or dirt in a grounded outlet may prevent the grounding system from working and lead to electrocution. If in doubt, call an electrician. 

• Use the electrically operated tools you need one at a time to avoid overloading circuits.

• Beware of counterfeits. Opportunists often use disasters to take advantage of people in need to sell fake goods. Be cautious of people selling flimsy or suspect tools and products. Look for a certification mark.

Certification Marks to Look For

A CSA International certification mark with the indicator “US” or “NRTL” means that the product is certified for the U.S. market to the applicable U.S. standards. For gas products in the U.S., the CSA certification Star indicates the product is certified to applicable U.S. standards for appliances using gas or other petroleum fuel.

Additional Help

For additional tips and information on advanced disaster preparedness, recovery or flood dangers, contact the American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Center for Disease Control, National Safety Council or other accredited safety or emergency organization.

About CSA International

CSA International is a provider of product testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products. Recognized in the U.S., Canada and around the world, CSA’s marks appear on billions of products worldwide. CSA International is a division of CSA Group, which also includes: CSA, a developer of standards and codes; OnSpeX for consumer product evaluation services; and QMI, a leading North American management systems registrar. CSA International can be found online at
www.csa-international.org