The floods of early 2014 revealed how
important it is to do everything you can to protect your property when the
rains fall heavily. This article suggests some things you can do to minimise
the odds of your property sustaining any damage – or at least reducing it.
Do you live in a flood-hit area? Some
people are not affected by heavy rain at all – at least not unless they have a
hole in their roof. Others however live near rivers or in areas that are
commonly flooded if the rain comes down too fast to go into the drains.
If you are among them you may already have
dealt with the outcome of severe weather. Early in 2014 many rivers burst their
banks, affecting hundreds of properties nearby in all the affected areas.
It may be that you already know what you should
do to minimise the effects of such an event. However if you have just moved
home and you know your new property could be in danger in the event of bad
weather, it is a good idea to think about priorities. By planning ahead now you
can be sure you will be prepared if or when it ever happens for real.
The first thing to think about is saving
essential items. If you live in a house these should go upstairs. Start by
getting things such as torches, medications and blankets together and moving
them to a safe upstairs location.
If
you live in a single-level property you should put them high up in a cupboard.
Don’t discount how high the water level can go – some properties are virtually
unable to be entered if the flooding is severe. Move all food items that don’t
need refrigeration or freezing upstairs or to a safe place as well.
Next, make sure you know where to get
sandbags if you ever need them. Some people whose properties are regularly in
danger of flooding handle this part by themselves. Be practical and pro-active
– even the magician Paul Daniels suggested buying some good quality padding
pools to float in the flood water so you could store things inside them. These
are an ideal solution if you live in a single-storey property.
Remember to get proper flood insurance in place as well. This will provide better
protection in the aftermath of a flood, as this is the time when you will want
proper support from your insurance company. Flood insurance can make all the difference between settling claims
quickly and having to jump through any number of hoops your insurer provides
for you.
You should also be fully aware of where
your essential supplies are – gas, water and electricity. If your property is
flooded you need to switch all of these off as quickly as you can – ideally
just before your property is actually breached. Remember never to touch any
electrical item or outlet when you are in flood water as it can lead to
electrocution.
As you can see there is a lot you can do
and it certainly helps to plan ahead of time. If you know what to do in advance
you’ll be able to act quickly and not be caught up in panic if you do ever need
to act on your plan.
