- Keep a list of useful numbers to hand: for example your local
council, the emergency services, your insurance company and
Floodline.
- Have a few sandbags or floorboards prepared to block doorways
and airbricks.
- Make up a flood kit, including a torch, blankets, waterproof
clothing, wellingtons, a portable radio, first aid kit, rubber
gloves and key personal documents. Keep it upstairs, if
possible.
- Talk about possible flooding with your family or those you live
with. Consider writing a flood plan, and store these notes with
your flood kit.
- Make sure you know where to turn off your gas and electricity.
If you抮e not sure, ask the person who checks your meter when they
next visit. Mark the tap or switch with a sticker to help you
remember.
- What about your pets? Where will you move them to if a flood is
on the way?
- Think about your car. Where could you move it to in the event
of a flood warning?
- Get into the habit of storing valuable or sentimental personal
belongings upstairs or in a high place downstairs.
- Think about medication. In the event of a flood, you will still
need to take it.
- Contact your insurance company to check you have adequate flood
cover.
- Do know how to contact each other. Your family could be
anywhere when a flood happens.
- Do find out where your family would be evacuated to. Make sure
you all know where that is. Floods may force you to leave your
home.
- Do put the emergency numbers in a safe place. Prepare a flood
kit which can be kept in a safe place.
- Do know where to turn off your power supplies. Do you have a
torch handy in case it's dark?
- Do make sure you understand what the flood warning service for
your area is.
- Do find out whether your area has flooded before. Look in the
library or ask neighbors what happened and how they coped.
- Do tell a friend or neighbor about your plan. You may need
their help if there's a flood, or they may need yours.
- Do read through the Agency fact sheet Are you prepared for a
flood?
- Do think if there is someone who will need your help.
- Don't wait for a flood to find out whether your plan works. Try
it now.
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