How To Keep Your Child Safe During Floods

Monsoons are here and there are more cases of rivers flowing over the danger mark especially at places with heavy downpours. Flood-like situations have already been observed in areas which have surrounding rivers and backwaters, including cities like Mumbai, which is flooding already. Overall during the monsoons, southern India seems to be affected the most followed by Bengal, Odisha, MP and UP.

Are you living in areas vulnerable to floods? If yes, then you need to be prepared for a flood at all times in this season, moreover, you need to prepare your family and keep your child safe. Remember during floods in your area, your home may no longer be a safe place for you, especially if you are in a low lying area vulnerable to flood waters.  Preparation, precautions and some do-s and don’t-s can help you keep your family safe in such natural calamities. Know how you should keep food, water and medicines (including canned goods) and remain safe during deluge or flood. I have put together 3 key steps to this in this blog. Please go through and let me know if you have any queries or suggestions. Know hidden health dangers of floods for your children. 

How To Respond?

Floods come with alarming signs and give time to evacuate your house to go to safer areas with your children, which have low/no flood threats. Hence don’t panic and try to prepare well in advance to be able to get away from floods safely. In cases of natural calamities, it is advisable to rely on sources which are legitimate and authentic. For instance, beware of WhatsApp messages and listen to official communication of local authorities and news channels. Also, being aware and pro-active can help you lead the rescue and help other parents and their children too.

How To Prepare For Floods When You Have Children?

Here is the list of essentials you should collect and pack. Also, it’s a good time to teach your child about this preparedness as well as it’s a lifelong lifesaver skill.

1. Dry fruits, Nuts and Packed Canned Foods. Focus more on utility and less on taste.
2. Drinking Water in small containers in case you have an infant/toddler so that it’s easy to sip.
3. Plastic tent, disposables and plastic sealed packets to store food and essentials.
4. Sticks which can help you and your children to walk through shallow waters as well as help you to test the depth of water.
5. Essential Medicines and supplements for your family.

Do This Before You Leave Your House. Teach Your Child As Well

• Turn off the Electricity supply of your house. Ensure that its switched off through Mains.
• Close the doors completely to restrict the inflow of flood water.
• Try and carry power banks to be able to remain connected or to reconnect when you need to.
• Secure outdoor furniture or other items that might float away and become a potential hazard for others.
• Move valuable items and papers/documents to upper floors. So that they have the least chances of getting wet.

Don’t-s : Ensure That Your Child Does Not Attempt This

• Try and stay away from flood water - do not attempt to swim, walk or drive through the area. Also let your children know of it in advance and keep a vigil to ensure their safety.
• Be aware of areas where flood-water has receded or will so. Roadways and tracks can weaken and could collapse. Hence follow instructions of the authorities leading rescue.
• Avoid downed power lines and muddy waters where power lines may have fallen. Essentially, let the child know not to walk bare foot in mud waters and try to remain in camps/designated area.
• Do not drink tap water until advised by the Health Advisory in your local area that the water is safe to drink.

While, I hope that you and your family are safe, I hope this blog is helpful. I welcome your queries and suggestions. The idea is to create a blog with life-saving tips for parents and children if ever stricken with a natural calamity. Take care!