What you can do to prepare for an emergency?
The Government has produced a web page which tells you how you can help yourself and your family in emergencies. The page can be found on the direct.gov website.
- Make a list of important contact details, such as family, friends, neighbours, GP, veterinary surgery, public utility companies etc.
- Familiarise yourself with emergency procedures both at work and for children at school.
- Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies.
- Know how to tune your radio to local stations.
- Know how your family will stay in contact in the event of an emergency.
- Make up an emergency pack
Home Emergency Pack
Try to keep enough of the following in your household at all times to last at least two days:
Suggested list
- Lighting (torch/candles) and spare source of power (batteries etc) or wind-up torch.
- Cooking equipment (including tin-opener, utensils and cutlery).
- Drink (cans of juice, bottled water etc).
- Long life food and milk - Items that can easily be consumed such as ready to eat meats, canned fruits, crackers, cereal bars or biscuits. Check use by date and replace when necessary.)
- Portable radio and spare batteries or wind up radio.
- First Aid Kit - Include items such as assorted bandages, cleansing agents, pain relief tablets. Remember prescription medication.
- Contact list
- Warm / Dry clothing and blankets.
- Personal hygiene products such as soap, toothpaste, feminine supplies
- Medication (including baby items).
- Entertainment items such as board games or books
Useful numbers to make a list of and put in your emergency pack
- Doctor
- Insurance Company
- School
- Bank
- Family
- Utilities
In the Car:
These could vary depending on the time of the year, but could include items such as:
- First Aid Kit.
- Bottled Water.
- Torch with spare batteries.
- In car mobile telephone charger
- Sweets or long life snacks
- Blanket, warm clothing and woolly hat
- Spare socks and gloves
- Waterproof clothing and Wellington boots.