Flooding can be frightening and potentially dangerous, and it can cause damage to your home.
There are simple steps you can take to protect your home – and your family. Always follow any advice from the emergency services and your local authority.
Transfer your possessions upstairs
Most flood damage happens at ground or basement level so, if you can, move things that will be damaged upstairs and out of harm’s way – for example, your washing machine, curtains and sofas. Where items are too heavy or big to move, pop them on bricks or blocks to lift them off the floor.
Move your valuables to a safe place
Move your valuable documents and possessions (like passports, certificates and photographs), to a higher point in your home. You can also put them in waterproof bags and keep them on you.
Be electricity safe!
You don’t want your electricals to get wet. If your home gets flooded, turn off your mains gas, water and electricity. Unplug electricals like your fridge, TV and lamps.
Use sandbags
Sandbags can stop water getting inside your home and most councils will give them to you for free. Otherwise, you can buy them from hardware stores.
Special waterproof bags
These can come in all sizes – even big enough to put your sofa in if the flooding is bad! Smaller bags are helpful for wrapping around the legs of chairs and tables – secure them with elastic bands to help protect furniture from shallow flooding.
Prepare an emergency flood pack
For your own safety, you might need to leave your home, so it’s a good idea to have a bag ready. Include toiletries, any prescribed medication, a phone charger and your insurance documents. If you have pets, make a plan for keeping them safe too.
Don’t forget your car
Finally, if you have a car, think about whether it would be best (or possible) to move it to a place on higher ground.
