Public Health & Safety Measures for Barbudan Homeowners

The Ministry of Health & the Environment
Recommends
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY MEASURES FOR HOMEOWNERS IN BARBUDA
Subsequent to the lifting of the mandatory evacuation order for Barbuda, many
Barbudans are expected to return to the island.
While it is the right of Barbudans to return to their community, the Ministry of
Health & the Environment is cautioning the returning residents to appreciate that
basic medical and utility services are still at a minimum and that every effort must
be made to minimize the health and safety risks that are often associated with
hazardous conditions associated with the passing of a hurricane.
The Ministry is also advising the residents of Barbuda who decide to return home
that even though the mosquito threat has been neutralized, it is important to
practice preventive measures to ensure that the threat does not return.
The Ministry, therefore, suggests that the following precautions be taken:
Vector Control:
Cover all water catchments with cloth, mesh or original covering
Ensure overflow of tank is covered with cloth of mesh
If containers are breeding mosquitoes, add a few drops of cooking oil to
create a thin film over the surface of the water
Add topsoil, stones or dirt into any holes capable of holding water
Empty and upturn pet’s feeding bowls to avoid water settlement and
also to deter rodent activity
For plants that grow in water, the vase should be emptied, the walls of
the vase thoroughly washed every seven (7) days and the roots of the
plants should be washed as well to rid mosquito eggs
Affix wire meshes to windows to prevent the entry of mosquitoes

Avoiding Personal Injury while doing Home Repairs:
Cleanup after the destruction of a hurricane can be a very dangerous time.
While making repairs, you can be seriously injured using power tools,
climbing ladders and working on roofs
If you are not experienced using power tools like chainsaws, or comfortable
using ladders or working at heights, ask for help from professionals
If you going to make repairs, have someone help you and always pace
yourself
Wear the appropriate boots, gloves, and coveralls
Avoid the Dangers of Standing Water:
Standing water could be hazardous and present a danger to health
There are health risks associated with standing water; potential
electrocution (shock) from downed street lights and power lines, injury
from floating insects, as well as illness from contaminated water
If you come into contact with standing water, thoroughly rinse any
exposed body parts with soap and clean water to reduce the chance of
illness
Food Safety:
Without Electricity Supply
Always practice frequent hand washing at all times
Purchase dry foods that have a longer shelf life
Pay careful attention to Expiry, Best By, Use Before, and Use By dates when
purchasing foods
Purchase perishable foods only on a needs basis and cook only to be
served, not to be saved
Avoid having leftovers that would require refrigeration storage
Properly wash all root crops (fiber roots) like potatoes and carrots

Avoid leaving already cooked foods at room temperature for more than 2
hours. Ensure foods are cooked to a temperature of 140F
Use only potable water for cooking, dishwashing, mopping
Begin and end each day's activities in the household with the thorough
cleaning and disinfecting of all food contact surfaces and food preparation
areas
After meals, always scrape, wash, rinse, sanitize and air dry dish wares
With Electricity Supply:
Store meats for thawing in a container to prevent blood from dripping unto
other stored foods to cause cross contamination
Promptly refrigerate all foods that are required to be kept cold at 40F or 5C
Protect foods from insects/rodent infestation
Use ice to keep food cold
Keep raw food frozen
Throw out all spoiled, contaminated and decomposing food
Use food gloves when handling and preparing some foods like vegetables
that would not be cooked to prevent cross-contamination that can lead to
foodborne illnesses
Waste Management: (Garbage and Sewage)
Properly store garbage in covered bins that are inaccessible to insects and
rodents
Avoid spillage
Dispose of waste only in the approved way
Ensure human wastes are carefully disposed of in the approved wastes
system in use; septic tanks with soakaways or in a pit latrine equipped with
a snugly fit seat cover
Put all unwanted material in neat manageable piles at the side of the road

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Wear long sleeve blouses/ shirts and pants especially at dusk/dawn when
on the exterior of homes to protect from mosquito bites
Use approved insect repellent anytime you’re outdoors
Sleep under bed net when needed
Wear the approved construction gloves when handling and removing waste
materials generated by the hurricane to protect hands from possible injury
Wear the appropriate boots, gloves, and coveralls if involved in the islandwide
cleanup campaign to protect against incurring injuries or harmful
chemical spillage or leaks
Wear masks such as 3M dust masks
Use Mosquito nets (Contact Ministry of Health)
Water Safety:
Drinking water, also known as potable water or improved drinking water,
is water that is safe to drink or to use for food preparation, without risk of
health problems
Use safe water especially for drinking and other personal uses
Access safe water for personal and other uses from an approved source,
such as APUA, or from a reputable bottling plant
Practice storing small quantities of potable water in the home in a clean
covered container or capped bottles
Arrange to have the Health Authorities to treat water stored in all
Cisterns and Wells and in your tanks to ensure its safety before using the
same for safe personal uses
Carefully cover any inlet/outlet (overflow etc) affixed to water systems to
prevent the accessibility by mosquitoes
Use Household bleach and Chlorine tablets to make water safe for personal
and domestic purposes. For household bleach use 4-8drops per gallon of
water; wait 30 minutes then use
Boil water when required or obtain for use measured amounts of liquid
Clorox/ Chlorine or Chlorine Tablets to assist with home treatment

Hand Washing:
Wash hands regularly, especially after using the bathroom and after
handling raw food
Using a Generator at Home:
The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon
monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or
electrocution, and fire. Follow the directions supplied with the generator
To avoid electrocution, keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or
wet conditions. Operate it on a dry surface under an open canopy-like
structure, such as under a tarp held up on poles. Do not touch the
generator with wet hands
Use generator outdoors and never indoors
Be sure to turn the generator off and let it cool down before refueling.
Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite
Store fuel for the generator in an approved safety can. Use the type of fuel
recommended in the instructions or on the label on the generator
Store the fuel outside of living areas in a locked shed or another protected
area. To guard against accidental fire, do not store it near a fuel-burning
appliance, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage
Plug appliances directly into the generator, or use a heavy duty, outdoorrated
extension cord that is rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the
sum of the connected appliance loads
Check that the entire cord is free of cuts or tears and that the plug has all
three prongs, especially a grounding pin
Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall
outlet. Known as “backfeeding,” this practice puts utility workers, your
neighbors and your household at risk of electrocution
Remember, even a properly connected portable generator can become
overloaded, resulting in overheating or generator failure. Be sure to read
the instructions
If necessary, stagger the operating times for various equipment to prevent
overloads

Prevent Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning while operating a Generator at Home:
Never use a generator in the home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any
partially enclosed area
Keep generators away from doors, windows and vents that could allow
carbon monoxide to come indoors
Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO buildup in
the home. Although CO can't be seen or smelled, it can rapidly lead to full
incapacitation and death. Even if you cannot smell exhaust fumes, you may
still be exposed to CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a
generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY - DO NOT DELAY