How to Prepare Your Family for Flooding in South Africa
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Heavy rains and floods can occur anytime—not just during the monsoon season. It’s important to be prepared at all times, especially if you live in a flood-prone area. If your home is prone to flooding, here are some tips on how you can prepare your family in case of flooding. If you live in an area that is known for its high likelihood of flooding or if you know there is a chance of a flood due to creeks or rivers nearby, it’s important that you make plans in advance so that your family doesn’t suffer from the effects of flooding. Preparing ahead will help you and your family stay safe until the waters recede and life returns to normal again.
Keep a bag packed
Even though it is hard to know exactly when a flood will happen, there are certain places that are more prone to floods than others. If you live in an area that has a high likelihood of floods, you should keep a bag of essentials packed and ready to go in your home at all times. You don’t want to be scrambling to throw a bag together when the floodwaters are rising and you have little time to spare. Try to keep the bag simple, and make sure you include items that everyone in your family will need, such as a change of clothes, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, and waterproof shoes or boots. Make sure you also pack any medications that your family members need. You never know how long the flood will last, and you don’t want your loved ones to be without their medications.
Familiarize yourself with the area
If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the surrounding area so you know where you’re most likely to be affected by the water. This can help you to get out of the floodwaters faster and evacuate to safety. Try to learn where the closest creeks and rivers are located and where they flow toward. You can also find out where the closest floodplains are located and which streets or neighborhoods are most prone to flooding. This can help you to better prepare for the water and where it might go, as well as where you need to go to be safe. It will also help you to find the best route to evacuate, if needed.
Put important documents in a safe place
When there is a flood, it can be very difficult to make it to a safe, dry location where you can keep important documents. If you have documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports, or other identification or financial records, keep them in a safe, dry place where they won’t be affected by flooding. You should also make copies of these documents and put the copies in a safe, dry place just in case the originals get damaged or destroyed. If you have important medical records, such as a child’s immunization records, keep them in a safe place that is dry and will not be affected by flooding. If you are in a flood-prone area, you can also keep these records in a waterproof container or bag just in case water does get inside your home.
Check your home’s foundation
If you’ve lived in your home for a long time, you probably know how likely it is to flood. This can help you to know if your home’s foundation is in good shape or if it’s prone to flooding. If your home’s foundation is less than ideal, you can take steps to make it more flood-resistant. You can ask a contractor to come out and do a home inspection to see what repairs might be needed. They can check the foundation and make any necessary repairs to help prevent your home from flooding. You can also make some minor repairs yourself, such as installing rubber gaskets around doors and windows to help prevent water from getting inside your home.
Install flood alarms and markers
Depending on the level of flooding in your area, you might have access to a flood warning system that you can use to stay in the know about how high the floodwaters are rising. Flood warning systems can also help you to know when the water is receding and it’s safe to go outside again. Most cities that are prone to flooding have a flood warning system that alerts residents when it is unsafe to be outside due to the floodwaters. You can receive these alerts either through a phone app or via text message. You can also install flood alarms in your home in order to receive an alert when the water is rising. You can also install markers in your home that will let you know when the floodwaters are rising. You can use markers that change color or hang a towel or piece of fabric on a doorknob to see when the water is coming inside.
Have a disaster kit ready to go
A disaster kit can be essential during times of flooding. When the waters are rising, it can be difficult to get to a store to purchase needed supplies. Having supplies on hand to last you for a few days can help you to remain safe and well-fed until the water recedes and you can go outside again. You can make a basic disaster kit with items such as water, food that won’t go bad easily (like nuts, granola bars, and dried fruit), first-aid supplies, batteries, and a flashlight with extra batteries. You can also add an extra change of clothes for each family member and important documents like copies of important documents and copies of insurance policies.
Conclusion
During heavy rains and flooding, it is important to stay safe and out of harm’s way. Make sure to stay away from floodwaters as they can be deadly. Stay in your home as much as possible, and make sure to keep your family safe indoors as well. Keep your family members informed about what is going on outside and what they need to do to remain safe. Prepare your family by keeping a bag packed with essentials and putting together a disaster kit that will help you to remain safe and well-fed until the waters recede.
