8 January 2009

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service has been called to several incidents of flooding in properties over the past two days due to the recent cold weather.

An appliance and crew from Newport Pagnell were called to Glenwoods at 4.06pm yesterday after a burst pipe in an unoccupied house caused flooding to a neighbouring property.

Firefighters from Bletchley were called to Ribble Crescent, Bletchley, at 8.43pm to a similar incident.

Terry Ridgley, head of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s community safety team, said: “Many of the incidents have occurred in properties that are unoccupied or when the residents are not there.

“We are urging residents to take advice from the companies that supply their water on how to prevent such incidents happening in the cold weather.”

Thames Water has issued the following safety tips:

• When going on holiday, or away from your home for a few days, try and make sure your heating comes on at least once a day.
  
  
• Check loft insulation is thick and in good condition. Run it over the pipework where possible. 
  
  
• Lag exposed pipes with felt or pipe-wrap. Tanks should also be lagged, but remember to leave a space beneath for warm air to circulate.
   
• Repair dripping taps and overflows. A build-up of ice can cause blockages.
   
• When it's very cold, leave the loft trapdoor open so warm air can circulate.
  
  
• Make sure you can turn off the stopcock in an emergency. It can usually be found under the kitchen sink.
  
  
• Keep the name of a reliable plumber to hand.
   
• If the pipes freeze, turn water off at the stopcock and thaw pipes slowly using a hot water bottle or cloth soaked in hot water. Never use a blow lamp or heat gun.
  
  
• If the pipes burst, turn off the water and central heating systems before calling a plumber. You must get the house checked by a qualified electrician.