Information for homeowners

 Thoroughly clean all other affected hard Advice for residents surfaces, including walls, hard-surfaced floors and furniture with hot soapy water, using an returning to flood- ordinary household detergent. Allow to dry thoroughly as this will also help to destroy damaged Homes germs left behind.  Always wash your hands with soap and clean Following the recent floods and storm damage water after being in contact with flood water, in , Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service sewage or items that have been contaminated. offer the following advice to homeowners prior  Don't allow children to play in flood-water areas to re-occupation of their premises:- and wash children's hands frequently (always  Take care as there may be hidden dangers in before meals). Wash floodwater-contaminated the flood water like sharp objects, raised toys with hot water or disinfect before allowing manhole covers and pollution; them to be used.  If the premises have been flooded, the  Keep any open cuts or sores clean and prevent electrical/gas installation should be them being exposed to flood water. Wear checked by a competent person prior to waterproof plasters. reconnection;  If anyone does develop a tummy upset they  Any domestic appliances or equipment ie. should seek medical advice. cookers, televisions, VCRs, washing  Don't eat any food that has been covered by or machines etc which have been come into contact with sewage or floodwater. affected by water should not be used;  Do not eat any produce grown on an allotment or  Heating systems ie. gas boilers, oil boilers, garden that has been flooded unless it has been storage heaters etc which have been affected by cooked. water should not be used unless checked by a  Wash your hands before and after preparing food. competent person;  Frozen food that has defrosted should be  To avoid the threat of arson, you should be discarded. Food in your fridge should be thrown vigilant where damaged household contents are away if its not been working for a few hours. left outside the property, including damaged  Put contaminated flood-damaged food in black vehicles which should be moved away where plastic refuse sacks, seal and put out when your possible to a safe distance; next refuse collection is due.  If your premises are unoccupied, make sure  Don't be tempted to try and salvage damaged that they are secure; food – including tins - as they may be  If you are re-occupying the premises, make contaminated with sewage and chemicals left sure that your smoke alarms are working to from the floodwater. ensure your safety.  Minimise health risks by using protective clothing (wellingtons and gloves) whilst Electricity supply cleaning up.  Take care with electrics and gas. Electrical If you have any concerns or are experiencing appliances must be checked by a competent any other problems with your electricity supply, electrician BEFORE they are switched on. please contact Electricity North West on Gas appliances should also be inspected by a 0800 195 4141. You can also follow Gas Safe Registered engineer. @ElectricityNW or visit  Remember that petrol or diesel generators, www.electricitynorthwest.co.uk. ENW will check dehumidifiers and other fuel driven equipment properties affected by floodwater. You should e.g. camping stoves should NEVER be used have your electrical system checked by a indoors without adequate ventilation. Exhaust professional electrician before gases contain carbon monoxide which can switching on electrical equipment. quickly build up to poisonous levels.

For more information visit www.cumbria.gov.uk If you are visited by a loss assessor, loss Gas supply assessors will charge and it is up to the householder to decide whether or not they If you smell gas or experience difficulties with require their services at this time. For more your gas supply, for instance if your meter is information contact Cumbria Trading Standards malfunctioning or has been switched off for on 03454 04 05 06 or see www.cumbria.gov.uk/ safety reasons, please contact the National tradingstandards. Gas Emergency Service 0800 111 999.

Water supply Insurance tips

We are advised by United Utilities that only a The Citizens Advice Bureau are available to small number of customers are experiencing talk you through insurance claims, and what to interruptions to their water supply. do if you have no insurance. Top tips from those who are making clams are: United Utilities are contacting all vulnerable customers who they know live in affected areas  Photograph everything - take pictures of to check if there is any help they can offer, your rooms and damage to individual items especially if your water supply has been  Carpets - most insurers will accept a affected. photograph of carpets, but keep a square to show the type of carpet you had in each A major operation to inspect wastewater room to show the assessor. treatment works and pumping stations across  In almost all cases the insurance company the flood hit areas is now underway. will send a loss adjuster to look at your property. They will confirm what repairs and To stay up to date see www.unitedutilities.com. replacements are needed and covered by If you have no water or your water pressure your policy. has dropped call 0345 6723 723 (24 hours a  If you rent your property, contact your day). landlord and your contents insurance company as soon as possible.

General advice Website - www.adviceguide.org.uk or People returning to flooded properties should call 03454 04 05 06 take care if floodwaters have risen so high that taps have been under water. Customers who If you do not have insurance, your believe they have been affected in this way local council should be able to provide should: information on hardship grants or charities that may be able to help you.  Thoroughly clean the taps before returning to normal use Always make your own record of  This should be supplemented by flood damage  wiping with a bleach soaked cloth, ideally using Q-tips or similar swabs also  Use a permanent ink pen to mark dipped in bleach solution to reach up on the wall the maximum height of into the inner surface of the tap outlet the flood water. Do this in every  The tap should then be run to waste room affected by flooding. for two minutes.  Photograph or video record your damaged property. List the damage to your property and Loss adjusters belongings.  If your insurance policy covers You may get loss adjusters visiting properties in you for loss of perishable goods, the area. The loss adjuster is free and if they are make a list of all the foods you legitimate they will have your details and the throw away. Include any food details of your insurance company. touched by flood water and anything in your fridge or freezer ruined by loss of power.

For more information visit www.cumbria.gov.uk  Depending on your policy, the insurance company may only offer to clean and repair Bousteads Grassing, Carlisle something, not replace it. Confirm the Townfoot, Brampton insurance company will pay for any service or equipment you need. Make a note of all Copeland telephone calls. Record the date, name and Yeathouse Quarry, Frizington what was agreed. Redhills Quarry,  Keep copies of all letters, emails and faxes you send and receive.  Keep receipts. Eden  Don't throw anything away until told (except Flusco, near Penrith ruined food). Hobsons Lane,

Following flooding in several areas of Cumbria, all householders are advised to check their Guides Lot, Grange-over-Sands home insurance policies to determine what Canal Head, Rothay Holme, they can claim for and the process for making Morecambe Road, claims.

Many householders will be able to claim for Bulky household rehousing costs, for instance, however they may need to retain damaged furniture for assessment waste collections by a loss adjustor.

In order to help with the incredibly difficult The Association of British Insurers has advisory circumstances that residents are dealing with information at www.abi.org.uk/Insurance-and- due to flood damage, district and borough savings/Topics-and-issues/Flooding/ council’s will hold arrangements to help Recovering-from-a-flood. residents with extra support regarding the removal of household waste damaged by floods. Waste Please contact your local district council to All 14 of Cumbria's Household Waste Recycling arrange collection on the appropriate number Centres (HWRC) remain open as usual. For below. further enquiries about using a HWRC please contact the recycling helpline on 0845 055 1118 Borough Council or email [email protected]. 01900-702702 http://www.allerdale.gov.uk The centres listed below are large enough for you to drive into the Barrow Borough Council site to deposit your recyclables and 01229-876300 household waste. Please empty all http://www.barrowbc.gov.uk food waste from fridges and freezers before bringing them to the site. Carlisle City Council 01228-817000 See www.cumbria.gov.uk/planning- http://www.carlisle.gov.uk environment/waste-management/ servicesincumbria/hwrcs/hwrc.asp. Copeland Borough Council

01946-852585 Allerdale http://www.copelandbc.gov.uk Syke Park, , Clay Flatts Industrial Estate, , Glasson Industrial Estate, Council 01768-817817 http://www.eden.gov.uk Barrow Project Furness, Ormsgill

For more information visit www.cumbria.gov.uk South Lakeland District Council If you agree to work being carried out, you 01539-733333 should receive from the person you are http://www.southlakeland.gov.uk dealing with:

If using a private contractor you should check it is  A written notice of cancellation rights. a licensed waste carrier, see www.gov.uk/find-  A seven day cancellation period. registered-waste-carrier. For more assistance and information on local Flood damaged items should be left so that they tradesmen contact Cumbria Chamber of Trade do not obstruct traffic or pedestrians. (cumbriachamber.co.uk) or your local Age Concern office who may be able to provide a list Alternatively contact Cumbria County Council’s of reputable handymen. Waste Management Team on 01228 221398 or email [email protected] Building restoration Dealing with advice and planning builders after permission the floods Building Control teams across the region can offer restoration advice to house owners and commercial properties regarding the People in Cumbria are being warned requirements of building regulations and advice to exercise caution when hiring on using suitable contractors. tradesmen to help with repairs to their homes in the aftermath of recent flooding. Cumbria Trading Standards Contact your local council for more information is issuing the following advice to help (see page 4 for contact details). householders avoid being ripped off by rogue builders who may be cold- Cooling off period calling in the county:

Consumers have a legal right to a 7 day cooling  If you have buildings insurance, off period after they enter into agreements in contact your insurance provider their own home. This reminder from Cumbria prior to any work commencing and Trading Standards comes after stories of hard then follow their advice. sell tactics having been employed by loss  If you don’t have insurance, we assessors when visiting householders at home strongly advise that you only in the flood affected areas of Cumbria . Where a deal with reputable local consumer has agreed to employ the services of traders. an assessor, consumers must be given a written  Rogue traders and builders may notice within 7 days informing them of their right cold-call to your home and will to cancel the contract. A failure to give such a often use clever tactics to get you notice renders the contract unenforceable at to agree to having work carried law. out. To receive consumer advice or report a If you or someone you know problem to Trading Standards, contact via the requires assistance in dealing Citizens Advice consumer helpline. They will with a rogue trader you can call advise you and will also refer complex the Citizens Advice consumer enquiries, urgent enquiries and those requiring helpline on 03454 04 05 06, if your further action to Trading Standards. Telephone: case requires urgent assistance 03454 04 05 06. they will refer your details immediately to Cumbria Trading Standards or Cumbria Police on 101.

For more information visit www.cumbria.gov.uk Building control Helpful telephone

Allerdale Borough Council numbers www.allerdale.gov.uk/planning-and- buildings/building-control.aspx Age UK Northwest 01946 828100 Barrow Borough Council www.barrowbc.gov.uk/planning/ building- Children and Families Information Service control 08457 125 737 For anyone experiencing problems with childcare or 01229 876481 early education due to the floods.

Carlisle City Council Citizens Advice Bureau www.carlisle.gov.uk/Residents/ Planning- Penrith 01768 891503 and-Building-Control Consumer direct including any calls about Copeland Borough Council bogus tradesman 08454 040506 www.copeland.gov.uk/ buildingcontrol Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Eden District Council Carlisle – 08452 260040 www.eden.gov.uk/planning-and- Cumbria Community Foundation development/building-control 01900 825760 01768 890732 Cumbria County Council South Lakeland District Council 01228 606060 www.southlakeland.gov.uk/building- and- planning/building-control Eden District Council 01539 793 331 01768 817817

Cumbria Law Centre 01228 515129 Pets Department of Work and Pensions Don’t put your own or another life in danger to 03708 506506 attempt an animal rescue. If reporting animal in Environment Agency need call 0300 123 4999. 08708 506506

Foodbank Additional Flooding Alston Moore Foodbank, Alston – 07947 891102 Upper Eden Foodbank, Appleby – 07596 690902 Advice Salvation Army, Penrith – 01768 866732

Find more useful information at Floodline 0845 988 1188 www.cumbria.gov.uk/ emergencyplanning/ supportingpages/floodingadvice.asp. Gas Safe Register (gas safety advice and registered local engineers) 0800 408 5500

Highways Prescription 0845 6096609 medications Impact Housing 03448 736290 If you have left your home without prescription medicines or they’ve Impact Furniture Services 01768 210555 been contaminated please call

NHS111 for advice. National Flood Forum 01229 403101/01229 403055

NHS Direct 111

For more information visit www.cumbria.gov.uk

Police 101

Prescription help and advice NHS Direct 111

Red Cross 03448 711111

RSPCA 0300 1234 999

Rural Wheels 0845 602 3786

Samaritans UK Wide 116 123

Transco (gas leaks) 0800 111999

Traveline 0871 200 2233

United Utilities (electricity) – 0345 6723723

Victim Support 0300 3030157 Carlisle 01228 526688

Volunteering help 01900 826505

Voluntary Car Scheme 07788 396194

Eden Housing Association 01768 861400

Churches Together – Cumbria 0750 393 1196

Cumbria Association of Local Councils 01768 812663

CVS 01768 800350

For more information visit www.cumbria.gov.uk