Halifax advises homeowners to prepare for more flooding

As much of Northern England, the Midlands and Central Wales struggles to cope with recent flooding, and with warnings of more wet weather to come, Halifax Home Insurance offers some timely advice to the five million people currently living in flood risk areas.

Vicky Emmott, Senior Manager, Underwriting says, "The number of homes at risk of flood has trebled in recent years but there are several simple steps homeowners can take before a flood hits that can go a long way towards minimising water damage. Those who are already affected by the recent floods can also take measures to ensure their property is returned to its normal state with as little disruption as possible. Halifax Home Insurance provides its customers with a 24 hour home emergency helpline manned by fully trained colleagues who can offer useful information and advice on how to manage a home emergency such as flooding."

Before a flood hits:

Place sandbags outside doors, airbricks and windows to reduce the amount of flood water entering your property.

Turn off the mains supplies of water, gas and electricity.

Avoid damage to the pipes if appliances move during floods.

Move as much furniture as possible upstairs.

Large items that cannot be moved upstairs should be weighed down with sandbags or heavy objects to ensure they don't float around and cause further damage to property during a severe flood.

If furniture cannot be moved upstairs, empty contents of cupboards and drawers and store as high as possible.

Move rugs and curtains upstairs, or hang them up over curtain rods out of the way of water.

Keep your home insurer's policy details and telephone number to hand in case you need to make a claim following a flood.

Remember to move sentimental items such as photograph albums to a safe place as these cannot be replaced.

If your home has been flooded

Ensure mains supplies of water, electricity and gas have been checked by a qualified engineer before reconnecting.

Dry out appliances that have been affected by flood water and ensure a qualified electrician or CORGI registered gas engineer inspects them before use.

Open doors and windows to ventilate and dry out the property. Ensure your home is completely dried out before attempting any redecorating work.

Contact your insurer and report any damage caused to buildings and/or contents as soon as possible.

Take photographs of damaged items as it may help your insurer to settle a claim.

Keep any ruined property as insurers may want to inspect it.

Halifax Home Insurance offers unlimited buildings cover, and Home Emergency Cover which – for around £4 extra a month – guarantees the provision of an approved tradesperson to make your property safe within hours. Halifax Home Insurance’s Home Emergency Cover provides protection for a wide-range of emergency repairs. The excess-free cover has a limit of £250 per insured incident and does not affect the household 'No Claims Discount'.

Homeowners wanting to find out if they are at risk of flooding can call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0845 988 1188.