Do you live in flood zone? The RLSS UK has safety advice for you

The RLSS UK has devised the Top 10 Flood Safety Tips for helping you to prepare and deal with flooding.

1. Keep an eye on weather reports for flooding in your area. Do not travel in heavy rainstorms unless absolutely necessary.

2. Don’t try to walk or drive through floodwater – six inches of fast flowing water can knock you over and two feet of water will float your car

3. Never try to swim through fast flowing water – you may get swept away or be struck by an object in the water

4. Never allow children or pets to go near or play in flood water. It is hazardous and may be contaminated with chemicals

5. Keep an eye on friends and neighbours, especially the elderly who may be at risk of hypothermia after their homes have flooded

6. During extreme weather conditions the emergency services will be very busy, so only call for assistance if there is a risk to life or serious environmental damage

7. Take personal, financial and identifiable documents upstairs, along with any sentimental, valuable or electrical items in your possession

8. Keep aside a torch, mobile phone, rubber gloves, and a radio if you have one, along with insurance documents

9. Use sandbags to reduce the amount of water getting in along door frames, patio windows and block air vents and plugholes where possible with plastic sheeting then sand bags

10. Keep aside medication for specific conditions and a basic First Aid kit.

 

For more information on water safety, or to find out how to join your local RLSS UK club, go to: www.rlss.org.uk