What you should do after a flood
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DO
- Evacuate immediately if instructed by emergency services.
- Wash your hands and exposed skin with clean, warm water and soap after contact with floodwater. If clean water isn’t available, use wet wipes, but wash with soap and water as soon as possible. Alcohol gel is only effective on visibly clean hands and does not kill many germs found in floodwater. Use it only as an extra step after washing or wiping.
- Cover cuts or broken skin with waterproof plasters to protect against infection.
- Keep children, vulnerable people, and pets away from floodwater at all times.
- Move furniture, electrical items, and valuables to a safe, dry place if possible.
- Boil water before using it for drinking or food preparation.
- Contact your water company if you notice changes in your tap water’s colour, taste, or smell.
- Turn off gas and electricity if safe to do so.
- Dispose of all food that has come into contact with floodwater.
- Wear protective gear when cleaning up. Use rubber gloves, goggles, a face mask, and sturdy footwear.
- Floodwater may contain sewage, sharp objects, syringes, or chemicals. If you find needles or syringes, use a net or shovel to move them - never use your hands. Report them to Environmental Health. If injured by a sharp object, squeeze the wound to bleed, wash with soap and clean water, dry it, apply a plaster, and go to A&E for assessment and possible treatment.
- Use disinfectants like bleach to clean hard surfaces: Clean the surface with soap and clean water. Apply disinfectant (e.g. bleach). Allow the surface to air dry.
What not to do after a flood
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DON'T
- Do not walk or drive through floodwater - it may be deeper or more dangerous than it looks.
- Do not begin cleaning or repairs until you’re sure it’s safe to do so.
- Do not use candles to light your way inside a flooded building, use a torch instead.
- Do not touch electrical appliances, sockets, or switches that have been in contact with floodwater. If in doubt, consult a qualified electrician.
- Do not lift anything heavier than you can safely manage, avoid injury by knowing your limits.
- Do not use petrol or diesel generators indoors. Their exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, which can be deadly in enclosed spaces.
- Do not pump out water from your property until flood levels outside have dropped. Coordinate water and sludge removal with neighbours in connected homes to avoid structural damage.
