Spring brings warm weather, which means a greater occurrence of heavy rain and storms. These factors increase the likelihood of flooding. Although there is no way to prevent flooding outdoors, there are ways you can stay safe and help protect your property through the following safety tips:

• Purchase flood insurance. Determine whether flood insurance is a good option for your home. Your homeowners policy typically won’t provide coverage for flooding.
• Pack emergency supplies. Water, food, medication and clothing should all be ready in the event you need to evacuate your home.
•  Protect valuable items. Use waterproof storage to keep irreplaceable items and documents safe from water damage,
•  Create an evacuation plan. Make sure each member of your home knows what to do in the event of a flood.

No matter the safety precautions in place, a flood could still occur. If you experience a flood, there are a few steps you should take after to account for damages and remain safe such as:

• Wear protective clothing. The environment you’re entering could be unpredictable. Be sure to wear protective clothing if you think you may be handling hazardous materials.
• Remove wet contents. Once it is deemed safe to do so, you should remove all wet content from your home, including carpets, furniture and bedding, due to its tendency to mold quickly.
•  Throw away all unsafe food and beverages. Any food that has touched the water should be thrown away. Do not drink your tap water until local authorities have deemed it safe to do so.
•  Check for damages. If you suspect there is water, gas, electric or sewer damage, contact the proper authorities.
•  File a flood insurance claim. Photograph any water damage and make a detailed list of damaged or lost items to submit to your insurance company.

For more information on flood insurance and how to protect your home and valuables, contact us today.