Eating and drinking
Before you make food in a house that's been flooded, you should make sure it's safe to do so.
- If your kitchen worktops show signs of flood damage, don't use them.
- Clean all crockery, pots and pans with hot soapy water before you use them. You can use disinfectant to clean them. Chipped or damaged items should be thrown away
- Clean and disinfect water taps before you use them. Make sure United Utilities have given the go-ahead that the water is safe to use.
- Throw away all food and drink that's come into contact with floodwater. This includes canned and bottled drinks, such as wine, spirits, beer and soft drinks.
- Don't refreeze food that's thawed.
- Any opened packages not in air-tight containers should be thrown away even if they haven't been in contact with floodwater as they're likely to have become damp.