How to protect yourself from flash floods

THE hot weather can also bring with it heavy rainfall.

Lloyds Bank Home Insurance warns summer flooding isn’t just limited to those who live on flood plains and home owners who aren’t typically at risk could also be affected. Here are their top tips:

■ Get the right level of cover and keep your insurer’s policy and phone number to hand.

■ Keep a home emergency kit prepared. Sandbags, torches, spare bulbs and batteries, tinned food, warm clothing and blankets.

■ Place sandbags outside doors, air bricks, windows and any other holes to reduce the amount of water entering.

■ Turn off the mains supplies and unplug all electrical items, storing them upstairs.

■ Disconnect pipes to washing machine and dishwasher to avoid damage if they move during the flood.

■ Move as much furniture as possible upstairs.

■ Take photos of damaged items as it may help your insurer to settle a claim.