Electrical safety in your home following a flood

If your home is flooded, you must take care not to get electrocuted. Water could cause major damage to your electrical system and make your home a danger zone. Follow these tips to stay safe after a flood.

• Don’t enter areas of your home where you suspect water rose higher than the electrical plugs. Wait until a licensed electrician or the electrical company has cut off your power.

• Assume that any electrical appliances or electronics that were underwater are now ruined. This also applies to plugs, wiring and circuit breakers.

• Have an electrician do a thorough inspection of your electrical system before turning it back on.

If you come into contact with floodwaters, you may be electrocuted. Never enter a flooded home alone and stay away from areas of your home that are underwater until a licensed electrician has inspected them.