Safety Precautions for Nova Scotians Heading Home After Forest Fire

Nova Scotians returning to their homes after the weekend's forest fires and resulting power disruptions should be mindful of food safety, well-water quality and take precautions when cleaning up fire ash.

Foods will generally stay safe in a refrigerator for several hours. If the door is kept closed, food will remain cold for four to six hours. Residents should discard any perishable refrigerated or frozen foods that my have been above 4 C for more than two hours and any food that feels warm or has an unusual odour or colour. If the refrigerator air is warm when opened, all food should be thrown out. If in doubt, toss it out.

The following can cause food-borne illness if stored above 4 C for two hours or more:

• raw or cooked meat, poultry, seafood and luncheon meats
• casseroles, stews and soups
• milk and soft cheeses
• homemade mayonnaise or dressings
• cooked pasta, potatoes or rice
• salads made with any of these foods

Detailed information on food safety of refrigerated and frozen foods after a power outage can be found on the Department of Agriculture website at www.gov.ns.ca/agri/foodsafety/factsht/powerout.shtml .

Water should not be consumed from wells that were damaged as a result of the fire, such as melted well caps or casings. Wells should be completely repaired, disinfected and have the water tested and confirmed safe before it is consumed.

Well water also should not be consumed until tested and confirmed safe if:

• there have been any spills nearby as a result of the fire, for example, because of damaged fuel oil tanks
• fire-fighting operations have affected the well, such as water bombers dropping water directly on the well
• residents notice any changes to their water quality, such as cloudy water or unusual odours

If electrical wires leading to the well have been damaged by the fire, the well should not be used until it has been inspected by an electrician and licenced pump installer.

For details on what wells should be sampled for, contact a local Department of Environment office. For more information on well-water safety, visit the Department of Environment website at www.gov.ns.ca/nse/water/privatewells.asp .

Fire ash deposited on indoor and outdoor surfaces near the fire is similar to ash that might be found in a fireplace. However, any ash may be irritating to the skin, can contain small amounts of cancer-causing chemicals, can be irritating to the nose and throat, and may trigger asthmatic attacks.

In order to avoid possible health problems:

• do not allow children to play in the ash or with unwashed toys
• use a small amount of water during ash clean up to help limit the redistribution of ash and dust into the air
• clean ash off house pets
• wash off any ash that comes in contact with skin as soon as possible
• wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid skin contact
• rinse home-grown fruit or vegetables thoroughly before eating them
• avoid clean-up activities and areas where dust and soot are present to prevent complications with lung or heart problems

People should also wear fitted dust masks while cleaning. Those rated N-95 or P-100 provide better protection than simple dust or surgical masks. Individuals with heart or lung disease should consult a physician before using a mask.

More information on cleaning up fire ash can be found at www.calepa.ca.gov/Disaster/Fire2003/FireAsh.pdf .