Have swollen rivers and torrential rains flooded your home? Did you know that flood waters can contain bacteria from sewage or other contamination? So, play it safe. Stay out of flood waters unless you wear rubber boots and protective clothing. Don’ t let your kids play in the water or in the dirt that’s left behind. If you don’t know where that water’s been, clean up using the 3-bucket method.

Cover yourself from head to toe and put on a mask and rubber gloves.

In the first bucket, add water and a small amount of detergent or soap. Add plain water to a second bucket. Leave the third one empty.

Wet a clean rag or sponge in the soapy water and squeeze the extra water into the empty bucket.

Use the rag to wipe off the dirt.

Dip the rag in the plain water.

Wring out the dirty rag into the empty bucket.

Repeat these steps. Throw away rags when they get really dirty.

More about cleanup: healthyvoices.org. New Mexico Center for Environmental Health Sciences.