Flood safety information

Experiencing a flood is difficult and devastating for anyone, but especially so for children and their families. If you are experience flooding in your area, follow these expert tips to keep yourself and your family safe.
 

What to do during a flood
 

Listen to local authorities

Tune in to your local news or radio station for weather updates and official advice. If you are advised to evacuate, grab your emergency kit and ID papers and do so immediately. If first responders have set up barricades, do not try to pass them – they have been set up to safely direct people around dangerous areas.

Secure your home

If you have the time and are able to do so safely, unplug appliances and turn off any utilities like electricity, gas and water before evacuating.

Get to high ground

To avoid standing, flowing or rising water, move to higher ground. Never try to walk, swim or drive through fast-moving flood water. If you are in your vehicle and it is filling with water, get onto the roof. If you are trapped in a building, get to the highest level and only go onto the roof if necessary. Do not go into an enclosed space at the highest level of your home, such as a loft or attic, as this could result in being trapped by rising floodwater.

Do not allow children to go into moving or stagnant flood waters

Even if it is a small amount of water in a basement, this can pose risks to your child’s health. Caution teens who are able to drive to never drive during a flood.

Update your loved ones

As soon as you are somewhere safe and communication channels are available, make sure to inform your other family members or those close to you.

What to do after a flood
 

Listen for updates

Monitor updates from local authorities and only return home when it is declared safe.

Look after your family’s health

The contaminated water created by flooding poses many health risks to you and your family, such as water-borne illnesses like cholera and typhoid. Keep your children away from floodwater as much as possible – it is likely dirty and contaminated by germs. If your child was exposed to flood waters, make sure to bathe them as soon as you are able and have them wash their hands frequently.  If you or anyone in your family is feeling ill, see a doctor as soon as you are able.

Keep food and water safe

Keep food and water covered to protect from contamination and boil water collected from untreated water sources for at least three minutes before use. Use boiled water to cook and wash food as well as pots, pans and spoons or other things you use for eating. Never drink contaminated water or eat food that has gotten wet.

Clean up safely

Be careful if you pump water from your home. Do it slowly and keep an eye out for hazards such as debris and electrical wires. If you can, dry as much as you can within 24 to 48 hours, keep wet areas well-ventilated and throw away anything that can’t be dried or fixed.  

As much as possible, limit your children’s participation in cleaning up. Before children and teens can safely return, toys, clothing and living spaces should be cleaned and disinfected. Belongings that have been badly contaminated by floodwater should be discarded.
 

Comforting your children after a flood
 

Start the conversation and keep it open

• Make sure you provide your child with opportunities to talk about how the flood made them feel and encourage them to share any worries or feelings of fear or anxiety.
• Show them that you are listening carefully and care deeply about how they are feeling.

Provide reassurance

• Let them know that the flood and its aftermath are not permanent and explain to them that they are natural events, and not anyone’s fault.  
• Give your children reassuring affection by spending time together and providing lots of extra hugs.

Watch for signs of emotional distress

While many children will seem okay for a month or so following a disaster, the numbness can wear off and they can begin showing symptoms of trauma. Some ongoing anxiety is to be expected, but if it does not stop after a few months or if your child is experiencing more extreme symptoms, such as panic attacks or wanting to harm themselves or others, reach out to your family doctor or mental health professional immediately.

Practice calming exercises together

Deep belly breathing is very helpful and is something you can do together with your older children. If you have a younger child, you could make it into a game: Every hour on the hour, see how you can calm your mind and body down by slowing down your breath.

Try to maintain some kind of routine

Though it may be incredibly difficult, going to bed or eating at the same time will help your child to feel a bit more connected to their life before the flood.