There are lots of useful items that will help
Nov 18 2008 by Francesca Craggs, The Journal
THE Arketype trailer showcases simple measures that can be designed into any home or business and demonstrates how flood products can be used to protect your home and/or business in times of a flood.
The recent extreme weather that hit the region, causing many parts of the North East to flood, has been devastating for local communities.
As people begin to clean up and rebuild their houses, they maybe thinking about steps they can take to stop or reduce the risk of this happening again.
Caroline Brumwell, project manager from the Environment Agency, said: “While water cannot always be stopped from entering people’s homes, simple and easy alterations can be made in people’s homes and businesses to help their properties be more resilient to potential flood events in the future.
“These products and alterations do not necessarily cost a lot but they will help people help themselves.”
The trailer was launched publicly in Ponteland at the end of October. Environment Agency staff will be visiting various communities affected by the September floods, as well as other communities at risk, with the trailer as part of the Flood Awareness Campaign, to promote the small alterations everyone can make to their homes to reduce the damage of future floods.
What is available to you?
Air brick covers: these are used to cover the airbricks you will find around your house. The air bricks are used for ventilation in the home, but in the event of a flood, they will allow water to enter your property. The covers are air-tight and will prevent water entering by this means.
Door guard: these work in a similar way to air brick covers but on a larger scale. They can be placed across the bottom of your front or back door to hold back low levels of flood water. They are air-tight and will stop water entering your property through the cracks between the door and door frame.
Raised electrical sockets: raising your electrical sockets higher up the wall can make a huge difference when repairing the damage to your house after a flood. Electrical sockets at floor level will almost always be damaged when flood water enters a property. The wiring as well as the sockets will then need to be replaced. By raising the sockets and wiring, there is less risk they will be damaged by water.
Flood sacks: these are a lighter, modern version of sandbags. They take up little room due to their flat-pack style and can be reused. In the event of a flood, you wet the sacks and they expand. They can then be put around the entrances to your home to protect your property from flood water. If they have not been in contact with contaminated water, they can be left to dry and shrink and then can be reused.
Flood kit: This is a simple, sealable, waterproof bag that you can store important items in during a flood event. A mobile phone, important documents or telephone numbers you may need can all be put in the bags to ensure they are safe. The bag will float if it comes into contact with water so can be easily found in an emergency.
Emergency numbers: fridge magnets can be used to write contact numbers on if your property is at risk of flooding. There is an example of the free waterproof magnet the Environment Agency gives away in the trailer and they are very useful in the aftermath of a flood to quickly find important contact information such as insurance or council numbers.
Floor type: there are rugs in the trailer as opposed to carpets. This is because during a flood event rugs can be easily lifted and placed out of reach of flood waters. Non-carpeted floors can be easier to clean once the water has subsided.
Alongside all these products, the trailer demonstrates simple ways of protecting your treasured possessions:
Put your special items on the top shelves or mount shelving high on the wall to protect them in the event of a flood
Mount your television, or any other electrical equipment, on the wall to help protect them if flood water enters your property.
There is a flat-screen TV in the trailer that is raised and mounted on the wall to demonstrate how to protect it from flood water.
The television also plays flooding DVDs, giving you information about the above products, where to get them from and how to use them correctly.
The trailer is also available to parish councils, local authorities and community groups to hire at a small fee.
It can be used at flood awareness events or non-flood related events as much of the equipment can be removed.
To book the trailer, email Caroline Brumwell at caroline.brumwell@environment-agency.gov.uk
For Preparing for a flood guide visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood or email northeast-newcastle@environment-agency.gov.uk for a version of the leaflet.
If you would like more information about flood pro ducts and services, visit the National Flood Forum website www.floodforum.org.uk or call (01299) 403055.
