Severe floods across parts of the UK in Summer provided even more evidence that climate change is making more of us vulnerable to flooding.

Make sure you have :

• Adequate insurance; store your policy in a safe place
• A flood kit with key documents, a wind-up radio, rubber gloves, wellington boots, waterproof clothing a 1st aid kit and blankets.
• Valuable items stored upstairs or somewhere high up.
• Sandbags, if you think you may need them. Your local council should be able to supply them.

Know what to do in the event of a flood :

• Move pets, vehicles and other items to safety.
• turn of gas, electricity and water at the mains.
• Move as much as you can upstairs
• Plug sinks, baths and put a sanbag in the toilet to prevent backflow.
• Outside the house, move/restrain anything not fixed down, and weigh down manhole covers.
• Listen to the local radio for information updates and/or warnings.

Know who is responsible :

• Contact the Environment Agency about rivers (0800 807060)
• Ditches and streams will normally be the landowner’s responsibility.
• If drains are overflowing, contact your local water company.
• If the road is flooded, contact the Highways Agency.

Always try to avoid contact with flood water - it may be contaminated. And don’t try to walk, swim or drive through flood water - it can knock you over, float your car or it may be hiding other hazards.