Here are some quick and easy things you can do to help reduce the damage of floodwater to your home and its contents. These steps do not require pre-planning and will help if you only have a little time to prepare for a flood.

• Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies at the mains find out now if you don't know where they are.

• Cookers, washing machines, dishwashers etc. connected by rigid pipes to gas and water supplies should be disconnected. This will prevent damage to the pipes if they move or float during the flood.

• Unplug all electrical items and store upstairs or high up.

• See if you can raise the item above floor level using bricks or blocks this may be particularly helpful for larger appliances such as fridge-freezers. Move furniture away from walls as this helps with drying the property later.

• If items of furniture cannot be moved, weigh them down with a heavy object or stack and tie them together. If the flood is severe this will stop furniture floating around and causing damage such as broken windows.

• If there is no time to remove curtains, hang them up over the curtain rods so that they are kept above the floodwater.

• After flooding do not reconnect gas, electricity or water services until systems are checked by an accredited engineer.

• Work with your neighbors to make your flood protection measures more effective. This is particularly important if your home is part of a terrace or is semidetached as water can come through adjoining walls.