Protect your family and property: Essential flood safety tips

What starts as a few drops of rain can quickly develop into a serious and life-threatening situation.

Randfontein recently experienced heavy rain and flooding, leading to significant damage, residents are urged to stay vigilant, adopt a proactive mindset, and have proper emergency plans in place.

Here are 17 essential safety tips to help protect yourself, your family, and your property:

General safety rules:

• Regular home maintenance is essential. Check structures around your house for weak spots, clear debris from gutters, trim dead trees and branches, and ensure proper drainage to reduce flood risk. Reinforcing vital structures is advisable if you live in a rain- or flood-prone area
• Keep your vehicle in good condition to ensure it won’t fail during heavy rain or flooding
• If you notice unsafe public areas – such as cracked structures, unstable roads, landslides, or rockfalls – report them immediately to the authorities
• Monitor weather forecasts, watch for heavy rain warnings, and avoid danger areas such as poorly drained roads
• Save all emergency numbers on your phone, including your insurer’s, and make sure your entire family knows what to do and who to call in an emergency

During heavy rain:

• Secure outdoor furniture and accessories, and lock all gates and doors that need to be locked
• Lightning often accompanies heavy rain. Unplug appliances and devices to prevent damage from power surges
• Park vehicles under cover where possible and delay travel until the storm passes
• If caught in a storm while driving and conditions feel unsafe, seek shelter immediately. Covered vehicle parks, petrol stations, or under bridges are possible options – but always use extreme caution. Turn on hazard lights and stay inside your vehicle until it is safe to leave
• Avoid parking under trees due to the risk of falling branches

Flood preparedness and response:

• Keep sandbags handy if you live in a flood-prone area. They can help minimise water entering your home through doors and low vents
• Move valuable items to higher floors or shelves and turn off electricity and gas if flooding occurs to reduce the risk of shocks or fires
• If water begins seeping into your home or undermining walls or foundations, head for higher ground immediately. Do not wait until it becomes a life-threatening situation

Safety for motorists:

• Do not attempt to drive through floodwaters. Just 15cm of moving water can knock you off your feet, and 60cm can sweep a vehicle away. Avoid driving through water deeper than the bottom of your doors or the lower third of your wheels
• Flash floods often occur when rivers overflow low-lying bridges. Avoid crossing bridges or roads near rivers during heavy rains
• If caught on a flooded road, switch to the lowest gear and proceed slowly. Reduce speed gradually rather than braking suddenly to avoid skidding or aquaplaning
• If your vehicle becomes stuck or begins to be swept away, abandon it and move to higher ground – never risk staying in the water

Remember: your life and those of your loved ones are more valuable than any house or vehicle, so do not take unnecessary risks. Ensure you have adequate insurance to cover the full replacement or repair costs of your home, vehicle and belongings.

• Source: Auto & General Insurance