Keep your valuables dry in a flood
Keep your valuables dry in a flood
Heavy rains and stormy winds can often flood your locality, sometimes in unprecedented ways. Weather conditions have become extreme and regions that were once deprived of water can now encounter heavy rainfall in a single day. Due to this extreme and unpredictable weather conditions, one should be prepared for any natural emergency or disaster such as floods.
Being a natural calamity flooding is highly unpredictable but there are many options to prevent your homes from getting damaged by a flood.
Prevent water from entering your home.
If severe rains or storms are expected to reach your area, cover your doors and windows with wood, sheets of metal, or sandbags, particularly if you reside in an area that is prone to flooding. Silicone sealant will also help in preventing water from coming into your home. Although having a short lifetime these materials are very effective in preventing short duration floods and keeping things dry.
Switch off any external services.
It is always important to shut down the mains utilities like gas, power, water etc. Additionally, having unplugged all electrical appliances you should store them in elevated places; if possible, on the second floor. Water that enters homes may rise to a height of several feet or more; the second floor will therefore remain dry, so that any objects stored there will not be affected.
Take special care of the appliances and furniture.
Valuable appliances and furniture should be kept in elevated areas or upstairs.
If a second floor is not available, as in case of a bungalow, raise items by arranging them on blocks or bricks. Removing carpets, curtains and internal doors is recommended.
If you want to give protection from water to any of your possessions, all these should be stored in raised places.
All personal documents, papers and such items must be sealed properly and stored in a dry place upstairs. Also store them in waterproof containers such as food storage containers. Otherwise, to make sure the important papers are safe against water, place them in sealed plastic bags.
Items usually kept outside the house, such as gardening implements, should be removed to a safe location. They should be kept safely because they can float easily in floodwater and this can cause various other problems. Items which are expensive and can easily float away in water should be kept in a closed place like a garage. Even a wheelbarrow could float away if left outside whereas it will not move if kept in a garage and will not be harmed by the flood water.
Soon after the announcement of a potential flood, make sure to follow some important rules.
Correct information is vital in such circumstances.
Keep yourself glued to your radio sets so that you do not miss out on any important announcements. Extend your full cooperation to emergency services and local authorities. Once they ask you to relocate to some other place, do it without delay and save yourself and your family from any risks involved.
Try to finish up your work during the daytime as electricity is usually not available in such conditions. It will be tough and unsafe if you perform these things in the dark. For emergency purposes, ensure that you load your torches with fresh batteries and also have a spare on hand.
Do not keep the information that you receive to yourself, spread the word especially to the old people.
It is advisable to remain in your home. Floodwater can kill, especially when it is raging, so do not attempt to go out. You must be aware of the fact that rapidly flowing water above six inches can easily carry off an adult while above two feet can float away your car.
Ensure that your pets and cars are in a safe location. As soon as you come to know about the flood alerts, relocating to the second floor of your house is recommended. Do not attempt to swim through a flood when it is raging, as there may be items suspended in the water. If you risk this you may be knocked over by the floating objects.
Besides, floodwater may be filthy and polluted with sewage, try to prevent any contact to avoid future infection. It really wont be a good idea to fall ill because of the contaminated floodwater. The most dangerous places that must be avoided during floods are sea defenses, river bridges and riverbanks, hence keep away from such dangerous areas. Incidents of bridges and defenses collapsing are a common occurrence in floods.
No related posts.