Precautionary measures should be carried out before, during and after a flood, the Energy Commission said yesterday.

If evacuation is required, the public should make sure electrical equipment and appliances are stored in high places safe from floodwaters, and to turn off the main switch on your home’s electrical distribution board.

Separately connected electrical installations, such as solar PV systems or electric fences, should also be turned off, and gas cylinders or piped gas valves should be shut off.

During a flood, the public is advised to avoid areas with electrical installations or submerged electrical equipment, such as substations and switch rooms, and refrain from touching poles or structures that conduct electricity.

The public is also urged not to move fallen electrical poles or severed wires, and to instead report them at once to the utility provider.

After a flood, the main switch on the electrical distribution board and gas valve in your home should remain in the “off” position before any cleaning work begins.

Before turning the main switch back on, ensure all electrical items are in good and dry condition, and always be cautious when cleaning near power lines, electrical installations, and piped gas systems.

The commission reminds the public to avoid using electrical and gas equipment if there are safety concerns, and to contact registered contractors if there are doubts about the safety of such systems.

Finally, it’s important to keep emergency contact numbers on hand, such as those of nearby police stations, fire departments, hospitals, and utility companies.