When flood water starts affecting the roads and your home, there are some important safety considerations:

- Please do not drive through any standing water. You never know how deep it is.

The Electrical Safety Council has put together the following advice for householders, in dealing with flood damage to their homes, once the water has subsided:

• Make sure the property is safe before you enter.

• Have a torch at hand when entering the property – do not attempt to switch on the lights and do not use candles.

• Switch off the electricity supply at the fuse box, if you feel it is safe to do so.

• Arrange for other services, such as gas, to be turned off by the service providers. The electricity and gas supplies should remain off until advised by them it is safe to turn them back on.

• Contact your insurance company (and your landlord, if applicable) to tell them what’s happened and to get advice and take instruction.

• Seek professional advice about the restoration of your property, before clean up commences.

• Do not attempt any electrical repairs or connection of temporary supplies yourself.

•  Use a registered electrician to assess the condition and safety of the electrical wiring in the property and fixed and portable electrical appliances affected by the flood.