Anywhere it rains, a flood can occur. If you’re unprepared, it can lead to catastrophic consequences for your home. When preparing for a flood, follow the flood safety tips for homeowners listed in this blog post.
Survival Kit Preparation
There are certain items you absolutely need before and after a flood. Here are the most essential items:
- 3-7 Days of food and water. This includes non-perishable packaged or canned foods. Be sure to have at least one gallon per person, or enough water to last 3-7 days in your household.
- First aid kit. In the event that you or your loved ones suffer bodily harm, a first aid kit can be extremely useful. Be sure to include any important medications that you need to take.
- Flashlights and batteries. In major floods, the electricity can go out, which can make it dangerous to navigate at night. Be sure to carry multiple working flashlights with backup batteries, as they may come in handy.
- Cash. Banks and ATMs may not be open during a major flood, so it’s imperative that you have enough cash to last 3-7 days. This is especially important if you’re evacuating the area.
Protecting the Home – Flood Safety Tips for Homeowners
- Flood-proof your electrical systems. Cover or raise any open sockets, switches, circuit breakers and wiring.
- Protect your household’s equipment. Any boilers, central air conditioning units, and general HVAC equipment can be vulnerable to floods because they are usually positioned at the lowest level of a home. If possible, consider elevating your home’s equipment above ground level to a higher floor. If you have any outdoor equipment, you will need to have it anchored and elevated as well. Whether you hire someone, or you do it yourself, ensure that you consult with your insurance agency before you make these adjustments.
- Minimize sewage water backup. If your home’s sewer system is backed up, sewage can invade your home during a flood. To prevent this, install an interior or exterior backflow valve. These backflow valves will remove some of the pressure that’s on the sewer mainlines.
- Waterproof the interior and exterior walls. If water floods into the interior, your home will suffer major damage. Protective waterproof coatings and sealing materials act as a buffer for flooding.
- Anchor fuels tanks. Floodwaters can jeopardize fuel tanks, which can pose serious harm to you and your home. Whether the fuel tank is in the basement or outside the home, it can erupt and contaminate your area with oil. We recommend that you take preemptive actions to protect the tanks.
Stay Safe
During a major flood, the best thing you can do is make real attempts to keep you and your family safe. Monitor weather alerts, keep your house and car fully stocked supplies with essential supplies, and be prepared to quickly evacuate the area—if necessary. For more info, contact Damage Control today!
