Did you know that floods are the most common natural disaster that occurs in the United States? Additionally, drowning accounts for 75 percent of deaths during flood disasters.
September is National Preparedness Month, which an opportunity to remind ourselves and our families that if a disaster strikes we need to stay safe and not sorry. From checking your insurance policies to keeping first aid kits handy to learning CPR – it’s important to take the time to learn skills that could save your or another’s life.
At Clear Comfort, we are not only dedicated to helping you Swim Happy™ but also stay safe around water. In case of a disaster, here are some flood safety tips, drowning preparation information and more.
How to stay safe when a flood threatens
Flooding can be a result of rain, snow, coastal storms, overflows of dams and more. They can develop slowly or quickly and flash floods can come without a warning – so it’s best to always be prepared.
If you’re under a flood warning, it’s vital that you find safe shelter right away. Depending on the type of flood, your safe shelter might include: evacuating if told to do so, moving to higher ground or staying where you are. If your area is at risk for flash flooding, be sure to watch out for potential signs, like downpours of rain, and listen to Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio for emergency information and instruction.
Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters – just remember: turn around, don’t drown. Moving water is more powerful than you might think. For instance, just six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet and one foot of moving water is enough to sweep a car away.
According to Ready.gov, here are some more flood safety tips:
- Know the types of flood risk in your area. Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center for information.
- Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans and flash flood response.
- Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
- If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, then stay inside. If water is rising inside the vehicle, then seek refuge on the roof.
- If trapped in a building, then go to its highest level. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water. Go on the roof only if necessary. Once you are there, signal for help.
- Listen to authorities for information and instructions. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
Drowning prevention preparation
Before a disaster strikes, you prepare yourself by taking training classes for first aid skills and emergency response actions. Saving someone from drowning is not like the movies, knowing how to properly handle real-life scenarios can save lives and prevent families from suffering a loss.
Every year, over 3 million people learn life-saving skills with the American Red Cross training classes. Here some of the many training programs that can not only help you and others in a disaster but also teach you life-saving skills that you can use throughout your lifetime:
- Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). To find your local CPR class, click here.
- First aid. To find your local first aid class, click here.
- Automated external defibrillator (AED). To find your local AED class, click here.
- Swimming and water safety. To find your local swimming safety class, click here.
For more resources, please visit the Ready campaign’s National Preparedness Month page here to learn more.
