Protect your home

Is your property flood resilient?

 

Suggestions to help make your property flood resilient

 

One in six properties is at risk. Don’t wait for a flood event. Improve your property’s resilience to flooding as soon as you can.

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• Shelving and electricals

  • Put irreplaceable or valuable items on high-mounted shelves

  • Raise electrical wiring and sockets to 1.5 metres above floor level

• Kitchen and bathroom

  • Use water-resistant materials such as stainless steel, plastic or solid wood

  • Fit non-return valves to drains and water inlet and outlet pipes

• Doors and windows

  • Buy specially made flood doors or purpose-build flood boards

  • Install synthetic or waxed windows and doors, or varnish

•  Walls and floors

  • Buy specially designed airbrick covers that are easy to place over ventilation bricks

  • Lay tiles with rugs rather than fitted carpets, which often need to be replaced after a flood

 

Note: Quality-check any equipment you purchase using the Blue Pages directory on the National Flood Forum’s website www.floodforum.org.uk - flood products should also display the BSI Kitemark or equivalent accreditation.

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Are you prepared for flooding? Personal checklist

 

Know if you’re at risk

• Do you know if you're at risk of flooding?

• Are flood warnings available in your area?

• Do you know how you can receive flood warnings?

• Do you know what the flood warning codes mean?

 

Preparing a flood plan

• Do you know how you will respond to a flood?

• Do you have a list of useful numbers including Floodline, local authority, and your insurance company?

• Do you know how to shut off your gas/electric/water supplies?

• Are your personal and valuable items stored above flood level?

• If you have pets, have you checked if you can take them to evacuation centres?

• Can you call someone to help you in the event of a flood?

 

Evacuation

• Do you know which roads will stay open in your area during a flood?

• Have you identified where you can shelter in the event of a flood?

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Protecting your property

• Have you installed flood protection products?

• Do you have a stockpile of useful materials including plastic sheeting, unfilled sandbags, wood, and a saw?

• Have you installed non-return valves in your toilets and drains?

• Do you have high ground where you can park your cars?

• Are your electrical sockets above flood level?

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Flood insurance

• Do you have sufficient insurance cover in the event of a flood situation?

• Do you know what information your insurer will require to support a claim?

• Do you know if your policy replaces old for new or if it has a limit on repairs?

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Prepare a flood kit

• Have you got copies of your insurance documents?

• Do you have a torch and spare batteries, warm waterproof clothing and blankets, first aid kit and medication?

• Do you have bottled water and food, baby care items?

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What to do before, during and after flooding

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Before

• Create a Personal Flood Plan

• Move valuables to higher ground

• Know the Flood Warning Codes

• Get a flood kit together and keep it handy

 

During

• Stick together

• Help vulnerable residents if you can

• Avoid walking or driving through flood water

• Protect what you can…

• … but evacuate when told

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After​

• Contact your insurance company

• Only throw things away when told to

• Record all damage

• Clean your property using ordinary cleaning products