Sewage backup safety

Immediate priorities

Stop flushing, taps and connected appliances. Avoid contact, ventilate only where safe and keep contamination away from food-preparation and living areas.

• Keep children and pets out
• Avoid splashes and aerosols
• Protect cuts and broken skin
• Treat wet electrical hazards as an emergency

Cleanup and recovery

The CDC recommends protective measures for sewage cleanup. Significant contamination, porous materials or hidden spaces may need professional remediation rather than household cleaning.

• CDC cleanup safety: cdc.gov/natural-disasters/safety/index.html
• Use appropriate gloves, boots and eye protection
• Discard or professionally assess contaminated porous items
• Wash after removing protective equipment

Step-by-step approach

1. 1

   Stop connected water use

2. 2

   Isolate the area

3. 3

   Avoid direct contact

4. 4

   Arrange drain clearance and, where needed, remediation

5. 5

   Document damage for the relevant property or insurer process