HEALTH TIP- ELECTRICITY AND FLOODS

People often overlook the possibility of an electrical accident during or after a flood. It is understandable that sufferers of flooding will often have their minds on other issues. But Safe Electricity believe electricity is the first thing you should consider when entering a flooded home or property.

The Safe Electricity website gives a list of 5 measures to bear in mind when it comes to electricity and flooding:

1. Never step into a flooded basement or other room if water may be in contact with electrical outlets, appliances or cords.
2. Never attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you must stand in water to do so. If you can’t reach your breaker box safely, call your electric utility to shut off power at the meter.
3. Never use electric appliances or touch electric wires, switches or fuses when you’re wet or when you’re standing in water.
4. Keep electric tools and equipment at least 10 feet away from wet surfaces. Do not use electric yard tools if it’s raining or the ground is wet.
5. If an electrical appliance has been in contact with water, have a professional check it out before it is used. It may need to be repaired or replaced.

Also be aware that even if your power company has turned the electricity off, it is advisable to turn it off at the fuse or breaker box in your home also, just in case power was to be re-instated by the power company without your knowledge. But as stated above, never attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you must stand in water to do so. If you can’t reach your breaker box safely, call your electric utility to shut off power at the meter.


After the event of a flood, you may well have some hard decisions to make regarding your electrical appliances. Firstly, if you have the chance and enough warning, you should move all electrical appliance to a higher area (upper floor) to keep them clear of flood water.
However, should some of your electrical appliances be water damaged, there is a very high chance they will never again be safe to use. Flood water contaminates any appliance that is submerged, or even partially submerged. After drying and cleaning, there may well be sediment that has damaged the appliance. Sadly this applies to more than just your kettle and toaster –flood water may also damage your breaker box and general electrical wiring in your home. So after the event of a flood in your home, make sure you consult a professional electrician to verify the safety of your electrical appliances, large and small.