Flood kit: protect your home and get out safely
A flood kit protects what matters, mainly documents, medicines and electrics, and helps you leave fast if water rises. Budget €90–€160 on top of the basic 72-hour kit.
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The checklist
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Lighter and faster than sandbags. Block doors and airbricks.
Keeps passports, insurance and cash dry.
Floating, roll-top bag.
Floodwater hides sharp objects.
Power is often cut in a flood.
Floodwater is contaminated.
Clears water once levels drop.
Mains water may be unsafe after a flood.
Wrap valuables and seal gaps.
Signal rescuers without draining your phone.
Tips
- Sign up for your country’s flood warning service.
- Know how to turn off gas, electricity and water at the mains.
- Move valuables and electrics upstairs when a warning is issued.
Questions people ask
Do flood bags work as well as sandbags?
For doors and airbricks, yes: they absorb water and expand in minutes, and they are much lighter to store.
Is floodwater dangerous to walk in?
Yes. 15 cm (6 in) of moving water can knock you over and it is often contaminated. Avoid it whenever you can.