Emergencies can happen at any time and often without warning. There are actions listed below that residents, businesses and local communities can take to ensure that they are well prepared for emergencies.
Register for alerts
Make a plan
- work out the best escape route from your home if there is a fire or what you should do if your home floods – if you live with others, discuss this with them
- write down important phone numbers on paper and store them somewhere easily accessible if you needed to quickly leave your home, such as a grab bag
- include in your plan the phone numbers of anyone you would want to contact in an emergency (such as friends and family you may need to stay with), a list of your regular medication, and insurance policy details and contact numbers
- use the government’s downloadable and printable household emergency plan to record this information in 1 document
Prepare your home
- complete an online home fire safety check to help keep you and your home safe from fire
- set a reminder in your phone or make a note on your calendar to check your smoke alarms at least once a month – find out more about fire prevention and fire safety from Fire England
- know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water – you will need to turn these off if you have to leave your home due to flooding or for other reasons such as if there’s a leak
- check the right insurance is in place for your home (or business), for example, flood insurance
- if you live in a flood risk area, find out more actions you can take to prepare your property
Get emergency supplies
- consider what supplies you and your household might need during an emergency lasting a few days, such as a power cut or water outage, or situations where you are advised to stay at home or to leave your home (evacuate) for safety reasons
- what to include in your grab bag:
- important documents
- phone charger or power bank
- cash and bank cards
- glasses or contact lenses
- water bottle
- non-perishable food
- first aid kit and prescribed medication
- spare clothes
- torch
- personal hygiene products
For more information please visit the Government's Prepare webpage.