What to do during a flood to save life and health
Miscellaneous / / April 02, 2023
Due to the warm spring, residents of many regions faced this problem. Here's what to do to keep yourself safe.
Flooding - natural disasterin which a significant area is flooded with water. It can happen for various reasons. For example, due to the discharge of water from hydraulic structures or heavy rainfall. Another reason is flooding. This is a rise in the water level in rivers caused by heavy rains or heavy snowmelt.
We figure out how to prepare for this disaster and what to do if the flood still caught you by surprise.
What to do before the flood
If you live in a region where floods, floods and heavy rains are not uncommon, you should take some measures in advance to increase your chances of saving life and health. It is better to prepare in advance: when a natural disaster looms on the horizon, you will not be up to it.
Prepare the essentials
That's what's worth doto be prepared for an emergency:
- Pack up the emergency case and leave it in an easily accessible place. Put there documents, money, power bank, spare smartphone, duplicate house and car keys, medications you need, a signal whistle, a walkie-talkie, a flashlight, and batteries. Alarm case or the backpack must be waterproof. It is also better to choose a product made of bright fabric - this will make it easier to find in the dark.
- Have at home a supply of canned food and drink for several days - in case you find yourself locked in a home. Remember that flood water should not be consumed: it can contain pathogenic bacteria, chemical impurities and dirt.
- Buy insect repellant. The flooded region quickly becomes a haven for mosquitoes and other gnats that can seriously ruin life.
- Prepare warm waterproof clothing It will come in handy even in summer. Wet people get cold quickly, especially at night, and it is very important to have spare clothes with you. You will also need waterproof rubber shoes to keep your feet warm.
- Get a radio and walkie-talkie. In the event of a natural disaster, the mobile network and the Internet may not be available. But thanks to these devices, you will be able to quickly receive emergency messages from local authorities.
- Get a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher. The latter is useful if water damages the wiring and leads to a short circuit.
- Consider buying a boat - normal or inflatable. The latter is less stable than wood and needs to be filled with air before being used. But at the same time, such a product is easier to store.
Take care of your pets
You should not only think in advance about how you will save yourself and save your property from water, but also take care of the safety of your animals, if you have any.
Purchase carriers for them in advance in order to be able to put your pet there in an emergency - so there is less chance that you will harm him while you carry him in your hands. Put documents and certificates for your animals in your "alarm suitcase". And provide the "friends of man" with a supply of food and medicine - it will come in handy both in an emergency evacuation and in case you find yourself forced to stay at home due to flooding.
Get the knowledge you need
Learn to render first aid - this is useful not only in case of flooding. Make sure everyone in your household knows how to turn off electricity, gas and water in the apartment, because these communications can be damaged by water. It will also be useful to learn how to swim.
What to do if you receive a flood alert
If you receive an evacuation call ahead of time and a message that a flood is coming, do the following: actions.
Watch the situation
Keep the TV or radio turned on - they will receive important information. If local authorities or emergency services advise you to evacuate, do not disregard their warnings. Report the threat to neighbors and loved ones in the flood zone.
Prepare the house
Turn off the electricity and gas, put out the fire in the heating stoves. Place in utility rooms or securely secure all floating objects - chairs, tables and other furnishings located outside buildings. Otherwise, they will be carried away by water, and then you may simply not find them.
In the house, raise curtains, mattresses, bedding, clothes and other items that you cannot take with you so that they do not get wet.
Place your most valuable things on the top floor if you live in a private house. Or place them on tall and stable tables, coasters and shelves to keep them from being flooded and washed away. Also, an attic, platforms at the top of cabinets and mezzanines are suitable for storing expensive and flood-vulnerable things.
Pay special attention to electronics. The higher you place your computer, microwave, and TV, the more likely they are to survive the flood. Also, keep hazardous chemicals as high as possible so they don't get washed out all over the house.
Close windows and doors. If there is a need and time, board the windows and doors of the first floors outside with thick shields to reduce the likelihood of flooding the premises.
Evacuate
Leave or drive out of the area of possible flooding to the designated safe area in accordance with the procedure established by the authorities. If you cannot find out where the evacuation point is, move to elevated areas that will not be flooded by water.
Stay clear of bridges while evacuating. Bridge during flood dangerous place, because a sudden rush of water can flood it without warning and wash away everyone who is on it. Therefore, if possible, avoid these buildings and in no case stop the car on them.
What to do if a flood takes you by surprise
If you have not had time to prepare your home and property and the opportunity to evacuate has already been missed, here's what it's worth do.
Monitor the situation
Turn on your TV or radio so you don't miss important information. Keep a smartphone or walkie-talkie with you - it will be able to work even if mobile Internet and communication fail. So you can find out what the situation is around you and call rescuers for help.
Don't go near the water
Never attempt to walk, swim or drive through flood water. Many flood victims die because of this. The flow can very easily bring down a man off his feet, and the car in it will easily stall, and you will find yourself in a trap.
Find a place higher
Climb to the top floor of a building, attic or rooftop, trees or other elevated objects or terrain to avoid being flooded by torrents of water. If you can, help the sailors and sinking people you see near your hideout.
Prepare swimming aids
Try to find and keep items suitable for self-evacuation: a boat, an air mattress, a car camera, a swim ring for a pool, or just a large board. If your shelter starts to fill with water, they will at least help you stay on the surface of the water. And if you have a full-fledged boat, then sail away to a safer place.
Send a distress signal
Hang a banner tied to a pole above your home or shelter to signal rescuers so they can quickly figure out where to look for you. At night, you can shine a flashlight. When you see rescuers approaching, do not shout too much - you will break your voice and be exhausted. Give sound signals with a whistle.
What to do after a flood
When the water subsides, you have to eliminate the consequences of a natural disaster and put your house in order. It may seem that the difficulties are already behind, but even after the flood, you can still run into trouble. Here's what to do.
Return home only if the danger has passed
Keep a close eye on news and announcements from local authorities. Come back only when special services will reportthat it's safe.
Don't go into the water
Potential danger after the floods represent electrical communications. Do not touch the equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water.
Downed power lines can also be dangerous. When you can get to the shield without endangering yourself, turn off the power yourself if you didn't before the flood. Or call an electrician.
Do not go into flooded areas, because there you can easily slip, step on something sharp and get infected.
Tidy up your home with care
Be very careful: wear thick rubber gloves, protective clothing and shoes to avoid injury and infection. When cleaning your home from mold and small debris, use a mask or respirator to prevent spores and other small particles from entering your lungs.
People with asthma and other lung diseases or who are immunosuppressed should not enter damp areas affected by floods: it is dangerous to their health. Children, too, should not be involved in disaster relief efforts.
Don't start a fire: a strong flood could damage the gas pipes and cause a leak. Ventilate the area thoroughly.
Remember that in your house during the flood could get into snakes and other potentially dangerous animals. If you find such representatives of the fauna at your home, call the rescue service number 112 and call the trapping service.
If you are using an indoor dewatering pump, generator, or other similar equipment powered by gasoline, run it only outdoors and away from the windows of the house, so as not to inhale exhaust fumes and not suffocate.
Thoroughly clean the property
Properly disinfect your crockery, cutlery, can openers and countertops that have been exposed to water. throw away damaged products. Drink only bottled or boiled water.
Clean all walls, floors and other surfaces with water and special products. Get rid of all items of clothing and linen that cannot be washed or treated with bleach, such as soaked pillows and mattresses.
The fact is that water can contain dissolved hazardous chemicals or pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, it is better to throw away items that cannot be disinfected so as not to pick up some kind of disease.
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