Malaysians have endured the worst in the last few weeks of 2021. Over the weekend of 17th December, several states including the Klang Valley, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu were battered by torrential downpours which displaced more than 71,000 people, forcing them to evacuate and take shelter at temporary relief centres.
It was a weekend of chaos as flood water rose steadily at badly affected places like Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam, Hulu Langat and Klang. It is in times like this that we truly see the generosity, kindness and the spirit of being Malaysians. It was indeed heartwarming to hear stories of #kitajagakita whereby unaffected citizens pooled together resources, time, energy and money to help those affected by the floods.
Whether it is caused by climate change or poor irrigation systems, we have all learned something from the flooding incident – that we must be prepared. At the time of writing, some kampungs and districts are still inundated. Once the waters recede, the tough labour of cleaning up and repair works begin. If you are ever caught in a situation where your premise is flooded, remember these safety tips when you enter your premise post-flood.
Ensure Personal Safety
- Waterlogged buildings may have suffered structural damages. Check for any structural damage of the building or if there are any signs that the building may collapse. Do not enter if you see any cracks or instability.
- Turn off the main source of electricity without stepping into water. Standing water and electricity do not mix and you do not want the risk of life-threatening dangers when electricity is restored. Wear rubber gloves and boots as rubber does not conduct electric current.
- Look out for wildlife such as snakes and monitor lizards that may have wandered into your building. Call the fire authorities for assistance to safely remove them.
- Inspect storage and piping systems containing flammable liquid. Repair any leaks immediately and prohibit smoking to prevent fires.
- Flood waters are often contaminated with chemicals, sewage, garbage and debris. Ensure that all personnel put on full personal protective equipment, including goggles, respirators, gloves, etc.
Secure the Premise
- Flood-damaged fire protection systems and inoperable fire fighting water supplies can pose a major threat. In addition, the presence of live electrical circuits and equipment, accumulated debris and floating flammable liquids can increase the risk of fire. It is advisable to restore fire protection systems as quickly as possible.
- Unplug all appliances such as fans, lamps, air purifiers and try to dry them out. Replace appliances if needed.
- Have a qualified technician inspect other parts of gas and electric appliances that have been submerged (such as motors, electric circuits and venting systems) to ensure continued safe operation.
Identify the Damages
- If your premise insurance covers natural disasters, be sure to document the damage in a detailed manner. Take pictures and video recordings of the conditions of the structure, equipment and furnishings. It is helpful to take voice recordings to accompany the photos and video for insurance purposes.
Commence Clean-Up
- Your premise is only safe to be re-inhabited once thorough cleaning and disinfecting has been done. Flood waters are carriers for all kinds of bacteria and may cause infections and illnesses. You are advised to discard any items that are unsalvageable such as files and documents and cardboard boxes and soft items such as carpets and cushions.
- Figuring out where and how to start the cleaning process can be frustrating. We understand that unexpected disasters like floods can be traumatic and cause anxiety and a sense of grief. Hence, to alleviate stress, we recommend contacting a professional cleaning service like maclean to help with thorough post-flood cleaning and disinfecting including the removal of standing water, elimination of contamination and removal of odour and mould.
maclean’s long-standing legacy started off with us helping many multinational companies clean up their premises after the flash floods in 1971, hence we have immense experience in dealing with waterlogged premises. Our team provides excellent customer service and communicates efficiently with you so that delays, worries and losses are minimized, enabling your return to normalcy as quickly as possible.
If you would like to find out more about our cleaning and disinfection process in detail, please do not hesitate to contact us.