Andy Hirst from Environmental Defence Systems Ltd explaining to scouts how FloodSax work FloodSax keeping filthy floodwater at bay FloodSax preventing a serious leak under a sink from causing serious water damage

FloodSax sandless sandbag’s vital role in first ever scout flood badge

FloodSax alternative sandbags have played a key role in the first ever scout flood badge which has been strongly praised by the Government.

All the scouting sections – squirrels, beavers, cubs and scouts - took part in the BeFloodReady Scouts Camp Day at Raywell Park Scout Activity Centre near Cottingham in East Yorkshire.

They saw at first hand the latest anti-flood measures ranging from door flood barriers which work automatically once floodwaters approach through to the unique FloodSax alternative sandbags.

Floods Minister Emma Hardy said: “I’m thrilled this new Scouts badge is helping young people understand the impacts of flooding and encouraging them to think about how we can be better prepared, now and in the future.

“Flood risk affects us all and we all need to build awareness into our everyday lives. What better way to start that than through hands-on learning that makes preparedness fun and memorable for the next generation.”

The day was held as part of Flood Action Week with more BeFloodReady Scouts Camp Days now being planned for the future in different parts of the country.

One of the organisers was Shelley Evans who is the National Property Flood Resilience Lead at environmental and risk management consultancy JBA Consulting and a director with The International Property Flood Resilience Association.

She said: “It was a fantastic day and the children had a brilliant time so we hope to run more events like this across the country. Engaging younger generations can help build a more knowledgeable, prepared society that is better able to respond to a changing climate.

“Connecting youth organisations with local flood groups can also empower children to become future community flood ambassadors.’’

The flood badge is open to all youth organisations such as the Girl Guiding, Brownies and Sea Cadets.

FloodSax were devised by Environmental Defence Systems Ltd based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

Its PR manager Andy Hirst, who attended the scouts camp day for EDS, said: “Several companies which have devised some of the most innovative flood prevention devices on the market both in the UK and worldwide were there which made it a really special occasion for the youngsters.

“They could see how these devices worked first hand and it really brought home that all-important message that everyone should be prepared for flooding 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. Sadly, many people aren’t until they’ve suffered the absolute misery of flooding and all the damage, hassle and cost that entails.

“People still think local councils have the responsibility to provide sandbags when flooding is imminent but that’s simply not the case. They have no requirement at all to do this and traditional sandbags have been shown to be an inefficient, ineffective and messy way to try to prevent flooding.

“This scouts day showed the youngsters that there are other better, more effective and environmentally friendly ways to keep floodwater out of homes and businesses.’’

FloodSax sandless sandbags are unique in that they prevent flooding both inside and out.

In their dry state, FloodSax are super-absorbent yet thin with a large surface area so are highly effective at soaking up drips, leaks, spills and floods inside homes and businesses, especially in hard-to-reach places such as beneath pipes, radiators, sinks and boilers. They also soak up floodwater dripping in through leaky roofs and windows.

They are transformed into tough and robust sandless sandbags when they are immersed in water which the gelling polymer inside absorbs and retains in around five minutes so they expand to weigh about 20kg and are ideal to stack into temporary barriers to prevent floodwater getting into homes and businesses.

Andy added: “The scouts had the chance to see dry FloodSax and then energised the bags themselves in water and were amazed at how quickly they were transformed to become instant alternative sandbags.

“The day and the badge is a fantastic way to make the youngsters think about the risk of flooding and how important it is to prevent it.’’