FORT FRANCES – From April to July, the tide has turned as the Rainy Lake recedes from the sandbag walls around residents’ homes.
As clean-up efforts begin, the Township of Fort Frances is reminding the public to depose their sandbags appropriately and with caution. The sand within may contain harmful bacteria or other contaminants left behind by the lake water.
These contaminants can be quite harmful to one’s health if handled without care.
Alyssha Hansma, Human Resources Manager of Fort Frances suggests “it is important to keep the following in mind when handling used sandbags.”
- Wear appropriate protection such as gloves and eye protection to reduce your risk of exposure to bacteria, chemicals or other hazards that could be present on or in used sandbags.
- Wash hands with soap and warm water after contacting floodwaters or handling items such as used sandbags.
- Do not reuse sand from used sandbags in areas where there may be human contact.
- Do not reuse the sand from used sandbags in children’s sandboxes, playgrounds or for landscaping purposes where there may be direct human contact.
- Never dispose of sand from used sandbags in a wetland, along waterways (shorelines) or other locations where it may have contact with people, wildlife, and the water.
