Worried about flooding?

Be prepared for flooding --> Here is some advice from the Environment Agency.

• Keep a list of useful numbers to hand e.g. your local council, the emergency services, your insurance company and Floodline - 0845 988 1188.
• Have a few sandbags or floorboards prepared to block doorways and air bricks. If your house is at serious risk of flooding there are a number of sites where you can collect sanbags from. You can also request sandbags online.
• 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.
• 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.
  

:: Click here for the latest up to date information on the flooding --> Environment Agency Site

:: Flood health advice

Flood Health Advice

The heavy rain of the past few weeks looks set to continue, so we may have to get ready for more flooding. Make sure you and your family are prepared and know what to do, should your area be flooded.

If you take medication:

• Plan ahead - buy any repeat prescriptions ahead of time, just in case flood waters prevent you getting to a pharmacy.
• Keep all medication in a water tight container. Where possible store medication on a second floor, or if you live in a one storey home, make sure your medication is as high as possible, for example on a shelf unit.
• Pack all necessary medications in the unfortunate event of having to be evacuated.Do not take any medication that has been damaged by flood water. If your medication is damaged, speak to a pharmacist, and if necessary buy replacement medication.

Although the risk of infections and illness is very low after your home has been flooded, its better to take precautions to look after the health of yourself and your family.

Read on for guidance from the Health Protection Agency on keeping health risks to a minimum.

General advice

Floodwater and sewage often leaves a muddy deposit. However, experience from previous flooding and sewage contamination has shown that any risk to health is small and you will not need any booster immunisations or antibiotics.

Health risks can be minimised by taking general hygiene precautions and by the use of protective clothing (waterproof boots and gloves) whilst cleaning up.

You should also always wash your hands with soap and clean water:

• after you go to the toilet,
• when you eat or prepare food,
• after being in contact with flood water, sewage or items that have been contaminated by flood water, and
• after participating in flood cleanup activities.

Don't allow children to play in floodwater areas and wash children's hands frequently (always before meals). Wash floodwater-contaminated toys with hot water and disinfectant before allowing them to be used again.

Keep any open cuts or sores clean and prevent them being exposed to flood water. Wear waterproof plasters.
Harmful bacteria may be present in sewage and animal slurry, and this can pass into flood water, although it is likely to be extremely diluted. If you or anyone in your family gets symptoms such as sickness, diarrhoea, or tummy cramps, speak with your GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for advice.

If the floodwater contained oil, petrol or diesel it should go away with the floodwater and silt. Any remaining oil, diesel or petrol contamination can be removed by using a detergent solution and washing the surface down after initial cleaning has been carried out.

In inaccessible areas such as under floorboards it may smell but is not necessarily a health hazard. Get further advice from the environmental health department at your local council if the smell persists or if you are particularly concerned about it for other reasons.

As your property continues to dry out, vacuum any loose material and dust on a regular basis.
Very young children should avoid playing directly on timber floorboards or any damaged tiled floors if possible - be aware of the risk of injury from sharp edges on tiles or raised nails in the floorboards until these have been repaired.

Speak with your GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 if you become ill after accidentally swallowing mud or contaminated water.

Cleaning up inside your home

When returning to your home after a flood, be aware that flood water may contain sewage. Protect yourself and your family by following these steps:

• If there has been a backflow of sewage into the house, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during cleanup.
• Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed.
• Clean walls, hard-surfaced floors, and other household surfaces with soap and water and disinfected with a solution of one cup of bleach to five gallons of water.
• Wash all linen and clothing in hot water, or dry-clean. Air dry items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned, such as mattresses and upholstered furniture, in the sun. Then spray them thoroughly with a disinfectant. Steam clean all carpeting if you can.
• Remove and discard all soft furnishings, fittings, wall coverings, cloth, rugs, and drywall (also include mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, cosmetics, stuffed animals, baby toys, pillows, foam-rubber items, books, wall coverings, and most paper products) that are damaged beyond repair.
• Remove dirty water and silt from the property including the space under the ground floor if you have wooden floors. This space may need pumping out.
• Wash down all hard surfaces with hot soapy water until they look clean.
• Allow to thoroughly dry - this will also help to destroy germs left behind.

For more info see: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk