If you’re one of the millions feeling the after effects of Hurricane Irene in the form of power outages, flooding, and other damages, food and water safety is a paramount concern. To avoid illness from contaminated drinking water and food, the Food and Drug Administration is urging people to take the following precautions:

• Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood water. When in doubt, throw it out.
  
• Do not eat food packed in plastic, paper, cardboard, cloth and similar containers that have been water-damaged.
  
• Discard food and beverage containers with screw-caps, snap lids, crimped caps (soda bottles), twist caps, flip tops, cardboard juice/milk/baby formula boxes and home canned foods, if they have come in contact with flood water. These containers cannot be effectively disinfected.
  
• Check to ensure that the freezer temperature is at or below 0 °F and the refrigerator is at or below 40 °F
  

As for drinking water, your area health department will determine whether local tap water can be used for drinking. If the water cannot be used or is questionable, and bottled water is not available, boil it. Boiling water will kill most types of disease-causing organisms that may be present. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle and draw off the clear water for boiling. Boil the water for one minute, let it cool and store it in clean containers with covers.

If you can't boil water, you can disinfect it using household bleach. Bleach will kill some, but not all, types of disease-causing organisms that may be in the water.

• If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for disinfection.
  
• Add 1/8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach per each gallon of water. Stir it well and let it stand for at least 30 minutes before you use it.
  
• Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers.
  

If you have a well that has been flooded, the water should be tested and disinfected after flood waters recede. If you suspect that your well may be contaminated, contact your local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for specific advice.

Finally, as you clean up and discard bad food, be sure to wash your hands. Keeping hands clean during a disaster can help prevent the spread of germs. Again, if your tap water is not safe to use, wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected.

For more on what you need to know about food and water safety after a hurricane, visit the FDA’s website. And see our tips on how to cleanup after Hurricane Irene.