- Check your risk - the Environment Agency's flood map for England and Wales is at www.environment-agency.gov.uk or phone the Floodline on
0845 988 1188.
- Sign up for the Floodline's alerts - either online or at 0845 988 1188
- Try a local insurance broker who may know companies that have lower flood-zone exposure and who may offer better premium terms.
- Insurance buyers in flood-risk areas should get better terms if they tell insurers they have taken precautions such as buying protection items and/or have resited electrical wiring and central heating controls.
- Adapt your home - a few adjustments could prevent wider damage. If you have a new boiler, ensure it is fitted upstairs. Electrical wiring should be rerouted away from skirting board level. Try to replace downstairs wooden floors with concrete. Have one-way valves fitted to prevent dirty water working back through washing machine and other waste pipes.
- Avoid concreting over front gardens, which could otherwise absorb water.
- Consider flood protection devices such as "smart" airbrick covers, and
door barriers (these hold up better than sandbags) .
- Consider replacing wall plaster with cement products.
- Keep essential documents and irreplaceable items upstairs.
- Have a personal flood plan ready - monitor local weather conditions; don't forget the safety of pets; ensure your mobile phone is charged; turn off gas, electricity and water and move your car to higher ground if possible.
