Tetanus is a serious infection which can even be fatal. Tetanus germs (bacteria) live in the soil and dirt. The bacteria may get into your body through a cut or a wound in the skin. The bacteria make a poison (toxin) which causes the illness. Even small wounds such as a prick from a thorn can allow enough bacteria to get into the body to cause tetanus. The illness usually takes 7-8 days to develop but can vary from one day to two months. Therefore, you may have forgotten about a small cut before the illness starts.
However, if you can handle drying a basement on your own, heed the following suggestions: Pump out standing water. Use a wet/dry vacuum or submersible pump, rentable at Home Depot and other home improvement centers. At Home Depot, wet/dry vacs rent for $19 for four hours or $27 for 24 hours. A regular household vacuum won't do the trick, and using it might prove dangerous.
What you need is the best dehumidifier for your basement. We have checked out the best basement dehumidifiers to help take out that sticky feeling from the damp space. The best basement dehumidifier for your damp spaces will help you remove the excess moisture efficiently. It will also cut the humidity and bring it back to healthy and safe level. The humidity has to be brought below 50%, otherwise there could be mold, mildew, and dust mites that can cause asthma and worsen allergies.