Flood Safety Messages

The ILSE working group ‘Disaster Operations’ recommends ‘Flood Safety Messages’:

  • Providing member federations with simple flood safety messages to use.
  • Using common ISO symbols to support the messages.
  • Encouraging member federations to include flood education in their programmes.

Before the flood

  • Prepare an emergency kit in case you must leave your house.
  • Learn how to keep yourself & others safe (including First Aid).
  • Know the safe evacuation routes & communication plan.
  • If you can, put your valuable items in a safe place.
  • Involve all your family in these plans, including children.
  • Regularly check the weather forecast.

During the flood

Follow official advice. Do you stay or do you go?

If you stay

  • Switch off the gas & electricity supply.
  • Go upstairs, mark your position, and keep warm and dry.
  • Know your escape route in an emergency.
  • Listen to the official media announcements.
  • Help vulnerable people.

If you go

  • Switch off the gas, electricity & water supply.
  • Stay out of flood water. Keep children & pets away from flood water.
  • Do not drive through flood water.
  • Take food, water, mobile phone and charger.
  • Listen to the official media announcements.
  • Help vulnerable people.

After the flood

  • Contact friends & family.
  • Follow official instructions when to return.
  • Avoid contact with flood & pollution.
  • Don’t eat or drink anything exposed to the flood.
  • Take care. Buildings, roads & utilities might be damaged.