After a flood — checking the home is safe
Machine translation from Dutch, not yet checked by a clinician.
A home after flooding is potentially dangerous through structural damage, gas, electricity and contaminated water.
What to do
• Only return once the council has officially declared it safe
• Check for gas leaks: smell for gas, open windows, turn the gas off
• Only switch the electricity back on after an electrician has checked it
• Wear rubber boots and gloves when cleaning
• Throw away all food that has been in contact with flood water
Do not do
• Do not return before the official all-clear
• Do not use electrical appliances that have been wet
Warning signs
• A smell of gas in the home — leave immediately and call 112
• Structural damage to foundations or walls
Get help if
• There is a smell of gas
• The structural safety of the home is uncertain
Why this matters
Returning to a flooded home is dangerous because of gas leaks, electrical risks and bacterially contaminated surfaces.
Source: Brandweer Nederland Natraject Overstroming · reviewed 2025-01-01