MORE TH>N issues advice for those affected by flooding

Communities in the Southwest of England and West Midlands and Wales are suffering from the devastating effects of the weekend's floods, whilst further bad weather is expected in the next 24 hours to hit the Northeast.

MORE TH>N Insurance is issuing the following advice to homes and small businesses affected by the rising water levels. MORE TH>N already has claims consultants in the worst affected areas and has increased the number of staff on duty to deal with the increased volume of calls.

1. Remember your insurance company is there to help. The MORE TH>N Helplines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call us on 0800 300 699.

2. IMPORTANT: DO NOT TOUCH THE ELECTRICS.

3. Follow advice, such as evacuation notifications and procedures, given by the Environment Agency and your local council. The Environment Agency has a 24 hour information service called Floodline available on 0845 988 1188. Advice can also be found within their website: www. www.environment-agency.gov.uk.org.uk.

4. Once the flood water has begun to recede, if the weather permits open all windows during the day - the air outside the house will be less moist than that inside, so it helps to dry the house out. Turn off the heating to save energy. By mid-afternoon, the air outside will be moist, so close your windows and put the heating back on.

5. Although you will instinctively want to dry items as quickly as possible, do not expose them to extreme levels of heat as this could result in further damage. If your central heating is working, turn it on at a low, constant temperature so that everything dries out gradually.

6. When salvaging photographs/valuable paperwork, remove excess water and keep tightly together. Leave to dry naturally and take advice from the MORE TH>N Helpline.

7. Get hold of a de-humidifier and when the windows are closed leave one running for every two affected rooms.

8. Fridges and freezers should be cleaned out as soon as possible and any food thrown away. If you have the relevant insurance cover, remember to keep a list of the food items for your claim and, if possible, take a photograph.

9. Store damaged furniture and fittings in a dry place - they may have a salvage value or be repairable and will certainly need to be inspected.

10. Clear out any mud or silt that has collected in airbricks. This will aid ventilation under floorboards and prevent rot. If you have a wooden suspended floor, get someone to help you lift the floorboards and ventilate underneath with a de-humidifier until properly dried.

11. Remove all soaked rubber-backed carpets and leave them in the garden as these will have to be replaced. Leave hessian-backed carpets down on the floor to dry, as they will shrink if lifted. Once they are dry, the carpets can be lifted to dry the areas underneath.

12. Once the floodwater has receded, remember it may be contaminated. Be careful what you touch and look out for signs of pollution.

13. Do not attempt to redecorate straight away - it may take months for a property to dry out properly. It is important to check with a decorator or other expert to ensure that the walls and other surfaces are fully dried out and, if necessary, treated to prevent mould.

Mike Holliday-Williams, managing director of MORE TH>N, said: "Our advice to people affected by flooding is to use the skills and expertise of your insurance company. Our claims staff are trained to deal with these disasters and will relieve some of the immense stress and strain these situations can bring. By following MORE TH>N's basic steps, you will be able to reduce the amount of damage to your possessions and your home."