Milwaukee’s Department of Public Works will waive fees for the city’s two drop off centers as flood victims clean out damaged items from their homes.
The centers, which are typically closed on Mondays, will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 11. Dump fees will be waived until Aug. 17, TMJ4 reported, citing DPW Commissioner Jerrel Kruschke at an Aug. 10 press conference.
The city is also waiving fees for residents to request bulky item pickups this week.
Where are Milwaukee drop off centers?
There are two drop off centers in Milwaukee. They’re located at:
South: 3879 W. Lincoln Ave.
North: 6660 N. Industrial Road
The centers operate from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. You can find out more information online at https://city.milwaukee.gov/sanitation/DropOff.
How to request bulky item pickup in Milwaukee:
You can request a bulky item pickup by calling 414-286-CITY or online at milwaukee.gov/clickforaction.
Safety tips for cleaning flooded basements:
Before you begin cleaning out a flooded area, there are several safety precautions you need to take.
Do not enter a flooded basement until you are certain the electricity in your home is off, DPW says. You should also ensure children do not have access to the area.
Once it is safe to enter the flooded area, here’s are some other safety checks DPW recommends:
Wear protective clothing items, like rubber gloves or boots, to minimize skin exposure.
Ensure any electric cleaning equipment is dry before using it.
Check appliances, like furnaces and water heaters, for escaping gas and make sure pilot flames are lit. Do not light a match until the gas supply has been shut off if anything is escaping. If you’re unsure, contact a professional.
When you begin cleaning, you should rinse all contaminated surfaces and floors with clean water.
DPW says you should mix 1/2 to 3/4 cup of household bleach with one gallon of water, ensuring appropriate ventilation in the space. Contaminated surfaces should remain damp with this solution for thirty minutes, and then rinsed with clean water.
For more cleaning tips, you can visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/Health/Information/Emergency-Preparedness/Natural-Disasters-and-Extreme/Flood-Clean-up.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin flooding: How to request item pickups, find drop off centers