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, 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 Carlisle 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, Millom 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, Kirkby Stephen Following flooding in several areas of Cumbria, South Lakeland all householders are advised to check their Guides Lot, Grange-over-Sands home insurance policies to determine what Canal Head, Kendal Rothay Holme, they can claim for and the process for making Ambleside Morecambe Road, Ulverston 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 Allerdale 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, Wigton, Clay Flatts Industrial Estate, Workington, Glasson Industrial Estate, Maryport Eden District 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.