Floods can strike quickly, catching many homeowners unawares. Even a small amount of water can lead to thousands of dollars worth of damage,  both to personal items and to the structural integrity of the house. In order to reduce the amount of damage your home incurs, it's imperative to plan ahead long before the storm hits.

The first thing you need to do as a homeowner is to make sure that you have sufficient property insurance. In addition to standard home insurance, you need to purchase flood insurance as well. Even if you do not live in a high risk area for flooding, it's still a good idea to get the extra insurance. While you may never need it, this small investment  could seriously pay off in the long run.

Make sure that the flood insurance you do have will provide adequate coverage for your property and belongings, and always keep a copy of your insurance papers safe and out of water's reach.

Formulate  an escape plan with your family that includes emergency exit points and a common meeting place. There's a good chance that you'll be separated from loved ones during a flood, so be sure to prepare ahead of time. Don't forget to plan ahead for your pets' safety as well. Many emergency shelters don't allow pets, so have a backup safe house ready for them.

Educate the entire family on where first aid supplies and food stores can be found, and instruct them on the dangers of flood waters. Small amounts of flooding can be appealing to children who want to play in the water. You should however, assume that the water is unsafe. It's very likely that it's contaminated with sewage and spilled chemicals, so avoid contact with it if at all possible.

To protect your home in a flood, again, preparation is key. Seal air bricks, attach flood barriers to windows and doors, and place sandbags around the perimeter of your house to divert incoming water. It's also advisable to plug sinks with something sturdy in order to keep water from surging up through the drains

Turn off your gas and electricity so you don't risk electrocution, and move dangerous chemicals to a higher floor so they don't spill and contaminate the water. Remove what curtains and rugs you possibly can, and relocate whatever furniture you can to higher ground. If this isn't possible, try raising  heavier pieces on bricks to reduce their contact with water. Anything that's dear to you, move upstairs. Otherwise, there's a strong chance that it'll be lost to the flood waters.

Once the flooding hits, you will want to have a first aid kit, flashlight, and a wind-up radio on hand. Gather necessary medications and supplies, and get to safety at your first opportunity. You'll be able to breathe a sigh a relief knowing that you and your family have done all you can to keep yourselves and your property as safe as possible.

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