You are responsible for protecting your own property. The Environment Agency,  AVDC, and the emergency services will help where they can, but when flooding is widespread, it is not possible to respond to every call for assistance at once. If your property is at risk from flooding there are steps you can take to protect it beforehand. Some of the things you can do include:

Beforehand

• check that your household insurance cover is adequate and up to date.
• if you live in a high risk area try to keep a small stock of empty sandbags and sand, available from builders merchants or hardware shops.  These can be filled when needed and used to protect doorways and air vents.  Alternatively, flood defence bags which inflate using water are available. Follow the link below to view the Aqua-Sac website.
• a limited stock of sandbags is usually delivered to the worst affected areas. If you have not received sandbags and want them you should contact a builders merchant or follow the link below to the aqua sacs.
• you can plan to protect external doorways with suitable boarding fixed across them, and reinforced with sandbags. You may want to consider purchasing purpose-made flood boards which slot into door frames and air bricks to seal them tightly.
• make sure you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water if necessary.

When flooding is likely:

• fill sandbags about 2/3 full and position appropriately. Remember to block airbricks and other low-level openings. Earth can be used as an alternative to sand, but it’s not as good.
• move valuable items and foodstuffs upstairs.
• have spare clothing, waterproofs, wellingtons, torch, batteries, radio and food easily accessible. Electricity and gas supplies may be cut off.
• store some drinking water in bottles/cans in case the public supply becomes contaminated by floodwater/sewage.
• check that neighbours know about any flood warnings that have been issued, especially if they are elderly, sick or disabled.
• keep up-to-date by listening to your local radio station for news bulletins, or you can dial the Floodline number, 0845 988 1188.

If your property is flooded:

• move people and animals to a place of safety, upstairs if possible and provide a litter tray for pets.
• you should stay in your property as long as possible, if necessary by moving to the first floor.  If, however, your house is completely uninhabitable and you have to leave you should go to family and friends.  AVDC and Care Services have only limited resources to help in these circumstances and they will prioritise this help with the sick and elderly in mind.

If you do leave, turn off gas, water and electricity and try to take:

• warm clothing, footwear and blankets
• essential medicines, torch and batteries
• baby food/nappies if needed
• pets – which should be on leads or in baskets or carriers
• leave a message locally so that you can be contacted

Elderly/sick/disabled people at risk:

• if you think you may need special help, try to make arrangements in advance with friends and neighbours.
• check with your parish council to see if they have a local 'self help' plan and a list of vulnerable residents.
• many vulnerable people are already known to Care Services, who will help if no one else can.

Cleaning up

The floodwater affecting your home or other property may have been contaminated with sewage, animal waste and other contaminants. However infection problems arising from floods in the UK are rare. Although harmful micro-organisms in flood water are very diluted and present a low risk there are a few precautions to be aware of when dealing with flooding which should prevent unnecessary additional health problems. If you follow the basic advice below you should not experience any additional health problems.

• floodwater and sewage often leaves a muddy deposit. However, experience from previous flooding and sewage contamination has shown that any risk to health is small. (You do not need any booster immunisations or antibiotics).
• health risks can be minimised by taking general hygiene precautions and by the use of protective clothing (waterproof boots and gloves) while cleaning up.
• always wash your hands with soap and clean water after going to the toilet, before eating or preparing food, after being in contact with flood water, sewage or items that have been contaminated by these, or participating in flood cleanup activities.
• don't allow children to play in flood-water areas and wash children's hands frequently (always before meals). Wash floodwater-contaminated toys with hot water or disinfect before allowing them to be used.
• keep any open cuts or sores clean and prevent them being exposed to flood water. Wear waterproof plasters.
• harmful gut bacteria such as E. coli O157 may be present in sewage and animal slurry, and this can pass into flood water, although there is likely to be substantial dilution. If anyone develops a tummy upset following direct flooding or contact with sewage they should seek medical advice.
• if the floodwater contained oil, diesel etc this should in the main be removed with the floodwater and silt. Any remaining oil, diesel etc contamination in accessible areas can be removed by using a detergent solution and washing the surface down after initial cleaning has been carried out.
• in inaccessible areas such as under floorboards it may present an odour problem but is not necessarily a health hazard. Further advice should be sought from Environmental Health if the odour persists or if you are particularly concerned about it for other reasons

Contact your doctor if you become ill after accidentally ingesting (swallowing) mud or contaminated water and tell them your house was flooded.

Gardens and play areas

• do not let young children play on affected grassed or paved areas until they have been cleaned down and restored to their normal condition.
• sunlight and soil help destroy harmful bacteria and any excess risk to health should disappear completely within a week or so. (The best way of protecting health is always to wash your hands before eating or preparing food).

If the inside of your home is affected

While in the property floorboards, walls etc will continue to dry out. Any loose material and dust resulting from this should be vacuumed up on a regular basis.

• very young children should avoid playing directly on timber floorboards or any damaged tiled floors if possible - be aware of the risk of injury from sharp edges on tiles or raised nails in the floorboards until these have been repaired.
• help for vulnerable and elderly people returning to their houses is available from Bucks County Council's Adult Care Services.
• remove all soft furnishings and fittings that are damaged beyond repair.
• remove dirty water and silt from the property including the space under the ground floor if you have wooden floors. This space may need pumping out.
• wash down all hard surfaces with hot soapy water until they look clean.
• allow to thoroughly dry - this will also help to destroy germs left behind.
• heating and good ventilation will assist the drying process.
  

Clothing and bedding

Clothing, bedding and other soft/fabric articles including children's toys etc should be laundered on a hot wash (60 degrees C or the highest temperature indicated on manufacturer's instructions) which will destroy most germs that may be present. Other soft furnishings that have been contaminated and cannot be put in a washing machine will have to be professionally cleaned or, if this is not possible, may have to be disposed of.

Returning to your home

It is recommended that you only fully re-occupy your home once the above cleaning has been carried out. There may be additional works to be carried out eventually as advised by your insurance company, housing officer, landlord, builder etc. If you decide to return to your home before this further work is completed you should:

• try to have some heating on at all times. Consider the use of a dehumidifier. Ensure the property is well ventilated. Leave windows open as much as possible but remember security!
• make sure that if you have air-bricks to any under floor spaces that these are unblocked to give cross ventilation to these areas.
  

Food preparation and storage

• don't eat any food that has been covered by or come into contact with sewage or floodwater.
• wash your hands before and after preparing food.
• make sure all surfaces that food will come into contact with are sound and disinfected. If work tops and other areas show signs of damage, avoid food contact with these areas. Particularly make sure that the shelves including those in your refrigerator where food is stored are cleaned and disinfected.
• use boiled water which has then been allowed to cool to wash food which is eaten raw. It is safe to use un-boiled tap water in the preparation of food which is to be cooked. It is safe to use un-boiled tap water for cooking if it will be boiled during the cooking process. Disinfect mains cold tap if contaminated or before use.
• food preparation surfaces should be wiped down using hot un-boiled tap water containing washing-up-liquid, and dishes and other utensils should also be washed in hot un-boiled tap water containing washing-up-liquid.
• caterers should seek detailed advice from Environmental Health Officers (EHOs).
• try to keep any opened food in an enclosed box or tin.
• all crockery, pots and pans should be thoroughly washed with hot soapy water before using. If any of these are badly chipped or damaged do not use. You could use a food safe disinfectant to sanitise them after cleaning.
• frozen food that has been at ambient temperature for a few hours should be discarded. Put contaminated flood-damaged food in black plastic refuse sacks, seal and put out when your next refuse collection is due. Check with insurers before disposal. Don't be tempted to try and salvage damaged food - including tins as they may be contaminated with sewage and chemicals left from the floodwater.

Drinking water

There is nothing to suggest that the mains drinking water in Buckingham has become contaminated. If the situation changes then the water company will advise householders.

• if you notice a change in water quality, such as the water becoming discoloured or there is a change in taste or smell, or if you are unsure, ring your local water company. If in doubt boil all water intended for drinking or use bottled water.
• if you have been advised to boil your water, then boil all water for drinking, brushing teeth, washing food and making ice.
• if your water is a private supply such as a well or spring, then check that it has not been affected by the floodwater. If a private well or spring has been covered by floodwater, if the water changes colour or taste, or you believe the supply has been affected by the flood then boil (or otherwise treat) the water. Continue to boil the water until the supply has been tested and shown to be safe.

Boiling water kills pathogenic bacteria, viruses and parasites that may be present in water. Bring the water to the boil and then allow it to cool before drinking. It can be stored in a clean jug covered by a saucer in a cool place (preferably in the fridge). Ice should be made from water prepared for drinking.

• water from the hot tap is not suitable for drinking.
• make sure the water taps are cleaned and disinfected before using them for the first time.
• only safe high quality water should be used for dental surgery.
• if there is a bottle-fed baby in the house make sure their water is boiled and do not use bottled water unless it is recommended by a doctor or health visitor. Some bottled water is unsuitable for babies as it has too many salts for their immature kidneys to manage.
  

Your electrical safety

Your local Electricity Board will be checking main supplies. On return home you are advised to call a registered electrician to get your electricity checked before it is switched back on. The electrician will supply an ICERT. Once you have an ICERT you should contact your electricity supplier (the company to whom the bill is paid) who will turn your electricity back on. We are advised that electricity companies will not turn on power without an ICERT. Don't switch on electrical appliances, which have been in contact with floodwater unless a competent electrician has checked them.

Remember the following

• replace manhole covers dislodged by the flood. Beware of submerged debris, deep channels and damaged surfaces.
• make sure that the house is properly aired to encourage drying.
• make sure that any mould growth is properly treated.
• look after your neighbours. People have been known to suffer from hypothermia after their homes have become flooded with cold rainwater even in the summer time.

Always

• air your building after flooding if you can - the less damp, the less damage.
• tell your insurance company – they will send someone to assess the damage.
• seek advice only from reputable companies about repairs, and only with your insurance company’s approval.

Don't

• attempt to switch on electrical appliances or circuits that have been affected by water until they have been checked by a qualified electrician.
• use gas appliances until they have been checked.
• dispose of damaged goods until your insurance company has had the opportunity to inspect them.

Date Published: 28/03/08