Flooding

There have been many more incidents of flooding in the past few years as the climate becomes more unpredictable. Floods can be devastating, so it’s an idea to prepare for the worst.

DON'T TOUCH THE ELECTRICS WHILST STANDING IN FLOOD WATER.

1. Prepare an emergency pack with a torch, a battery-operated radio, a first aid kit, warm clothes, blankets and bottles of water. Keep it in a safe place (probably upstairs) along with the insurer’s phone number.
2. Find out how to shut down gas, electricity, oil-fired heating and water supplies, even in the dark.
3. Follow official advice, like evacuation notices and procedures from the Environment Agency and your local council. The Environment Agency runs Floodline, a 24-hour information service, on 0345 988 1188. You can also find advice on their website at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency
4. Following a flood, and provided the weather permits, open your windows to allow the drier air from outside to circulate and help dry out the house.
5. Don’t dry your belongings using high heat levels – it could result in further damage.
6. Your insurance provider should give you a de-humidifier. Close the windows and have one running for every two rooms affected by the flood.
7. It’s best to clean out fridges and freezers as soon as possible. Some insurance providers will let you claim for food items, so remember to keep a list and, if possible, take a photograph.
8. Damaged furniture should be stored in a dry place until it is inspected.
9. All rubber-backed carpets damaged by water will need to be replaced, so move them out of the house if you can. Hessian-backed carpets should be left where they are as they’ll shrink if you lift them. Dry the area underneath when the carpet is fully dried out.
10. It’s tempting to redecorate to make your house a home again, but it takes a while for flood damage to dry out, so get an expert to check that it is fully dried out.

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This publication contains general guidance only. No member of Clydesdale Bank PLC Group of companies or RSA accepts any liability for the content of this publication or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Clydesdale Bank Home Insurance is administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Plc.(No.93792). Registered in England and Wales at St Marks Court, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1XL.

Clydesdale Bank PLC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Financial Services Register No. 121873. Clydesdale Bank PLC. Registered in Scotland (Number SC001111). Registered Office: 30 St Vincent Place, Glasgow G1 2HL. CB Winterinfo (11/13)