Follow These Important Do’s And Don’ts During A Boil Water Alert

I was hanging at home on Sunday recovering from all the green beer I had the night before when an alert on my wife's phone went off and scared the crap out of me.

The tones made me think World War 3 was happening, it turns out it was a boil water advisory for part of Grand Rapids.

People commenting on the water main break had lots of questions like these.

Other people thought something suspicious was happening.

Regardless of what caused the issue, there are some important things you should and should not do when under a boil water alert.

Things You Should Do

Use bottled water or boil tap water for at least 1 minute before using it for:

• Drinking
• Preparing and cooking food
• Washing dishes (by hand or in the dishwasher)
• Brushing teeth
• Giving to pets

Wash hands with soap and tap water, as long as you don't swallow the water. Consider using bottled or boiled water for handwashing if preparing food.

Breastfeed infants if possible. If using formula, use ready-to-use formula or prepare with bottled or boiled water.

Sanitize baby bottles and nipples by boiling or using a bleach solution.

Wash fruits and vegetables with bottled, boiled, or disinfected water.

Make ice with bottled, boiled, or disinfected water.

Wash clothes as usual, as the laundry process will disinfect the water.

Read More: Michigan Restaurants Guy Fieri Has Visited With The Food Network

Things You Should Not Do

Do not use tap water that has not been boiled or disinfected for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth.

Do not use ice from ice trays, ice dispensers, or ice makers, as they may be connected to the contaminated water supply.

Do not swallow water when bathing or showering.

Do not use water filters, as they may not remove bacteria or viruses. Filters should be replaced after the advisory is lifted.