WITH recent downpours sparking rising waters in many rivers in the West Devon area, and the subsequent danger of localised flooding, West Devon Borough Council is hoping to help people worried about potential incidents at their properties. The council has made available a free booklet from the Environment Agency entitled 'Damage Limitation' which can be picked up from the borough council offices or issued on request from [email protected]">[email protected] The Environment Agency says more than five million people are at risk of being flooded in the UK. With the aid of the agency, the council has issued advice for people in the borough concerned about the dangers of flooding. Tracy Windemer, the borough civil engineer, said: 'In the last few weeks the council have already had people coming into its offices asking for advice on how to protect their homes from flooding and we welcome more to do the same. Our intention is to help people help themselves.' She said in emergency situations only, the council would be willing to supply a limited number of empty sandbags but people should be prepared in the first instance by buying their bags from local building merchants. Flooding is a natural process that can happen suddenly.  While the Environment Agency aims to provide advance warning and local authorities may provide assistance, the person who can do most to help is is the householder. Anyone living in a flood risk area should do what they can now to prepare for a flood. In a flood, residents may find they are without lighting, heating or a telephone line.  The following simple actions will help householders be prepared: l Check insurance for flood damage — some companies may restrict cover. l Make up a flood kit — include personal documents, essential medication and first aid kit in a waterproof package or container, torch, batteries and mobile phone, warm and waterproof clothes and footwear, and blankets. Make sure everyone knows where to find it. l Make a list of the vital items for children, for example, milk, baby food, sterilised bottles and spoons, nappies and wipes, nappy bags, spare clothing, comforter, favourite toy or best teddy. l Gas, electricity, water and sewage — make sure you know where to turn them off, even in the dark. l Keep details of insurance policies and emergency contact number somewhere safe — preferably as part of a flood kit. l Make a list of other useful numbers — the local council, the emergency services and the Floodline quick dial number. l Get into the habit of storing valuable or sentimental items and important documents upstairs or in a high place. Think of pets, plus baskets or boxes to transport them. l Buy some sandbags to block doorways and airbricks.  In an emergency, make sandbags using old pillowcases, carrier bags or even tights filled with sand or earth.  Tips on how to lay sandbags effectively are available below or from the Environment Agency's website. Sandbags are one of the most well known devices for keeping water out of your property but: l Sandbags will not seal out all the water, use polythene sheeting behind the barrier and mop up surplus water. l Sandbags deteriorate when exposed for several months to continued wetting and drying. l If bags are placed too early, they may not be effective when needed. l If it is necessary that bags remain durable for a longer time, the addition of dry cement to the sand (1:20) can increase effective life. l Sandbags are basically for low-flow protection, up to 600mm. Protection from high flow requires a more permanent solution. Floodguards can be simply made using a sheet of plywood, made to fit the door and timber battening to secure the board to the doorframe.  Or purchase floodguards to fit to doors and air vents.   Information on how flood warnings are issued can be found in local Flood Directories available from Floodline 0845 988 1188. Useful numbers: Association of British Insurers 020 7600 3333; Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters 020 7337 9960 / 0845 3459960, emergencies 01903 204402; Construction Industries Research & Information Association, 020 7549 3300; Devon County Council 0845 1551004; Environment Agency 08708 506506 or http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk">www.environment-agency.gov.uk; Flood Protection Association 0870 2422340; South West Water Ltd 0800 169 1144; Wales and West Utilities Ltd 0870 165 0579; West Devon Borough Council Customer Services Centre 01822 813600; WDBC emergency 24-hrs 07626 961966, or go to http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk; Western Power 0117 933 2081.