WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - The Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District is working to inform residents about safety in flooding situations.

The district warned floodwaters can sometimes expose people to tetanus, a rare but potentially fatal infection . The district advised anyone who has an open wound or cut that is exposed to floodwaters, or anyone who will be working in floodwaters, should get a tetanus shot if they have not had one in the past five or ten years, respectively.

The Health District building, located at 1700 Third St., has tetanus shots available during business hours.

“Ideally, tetanus vaccines should be administered within 48-72 hours from the time of the exposure incident (i.e. flood waters and/or open wound) to be effective. Hepatitis A vaccines are also available for those who may have been exposed to sewage,” a release from the city said.

Other potential health concerns include food safety, with the district advising that food should be thrown out if it has come in contact with flood waters or been in a refrigerator that lost power.

The city also advised that pets and children be kept out of floodwaters and that residents wait until waters recede completely before beginning cleanup efforts.