Planning for emergencies: are you ready

You are responsible for preparing and protecting your property. It is vital you take steps to insure and protect your home and possessions.

Look at your local council’s website for information on their emergency plans. You can find out what they and other emergency responders do for the whole community.

The following sections give good advice about what you should do before, during and after an emergency to help you cope with it better.

If the emergency services tell you to evacuate your home you should do so. Refusing to leave on their advice will put you, your household and those trying to help you at risk.

Responder resources may be limited and you should try to stay with an emergency friend. If you are stranded, however, the council will provide basic accommodation in a rest centre.

If you are evacuated this may be for some time which can range from a few hours to several months. So you should bring the relevant items identified in the emergency “grab bag” list.

If you have pets you should have a plan for where they can stay in the event that you are evacuated from your home. There will only be very basic facilities for pets in the rest centre.

The people who run rest centres are trained to give you support and advice. They will help you through the stress of an evacuation and prepare you for what to do afterwards.

• reduce fire hazards in your home - contact your local fire service for more information and a free home fire risk check
• fit and maintain smoke alarms - put at least one on every floor and check the batteries every week
• plan an escape route should fire break out at night - most fire deaths occur while people are sleeping
• do not overload electricity sockets
• if there is a fire, get out, stay out and call 999 and follow the advice of the Fire Service & Rescue Service
• do not use a lift. If you are moving or trapped in smoke, stay close to the floor where the air is cleaner
• never re-enter your home until the Fire & Rescue Service has made it safe
• consider storing important documents in a fire-proof safe

There is a lot you can do to reduce the effect and potential cost of damage caused by severe weather.

If you are concerned about severe weather affecting your area, check local and national weather forecasts on local television, radio or on the Met Office website.

The following pages contain information on:

• flooding
• heavy snow and extreme cold
• high winds
• hot weather
• infectious disease
• loss of power & water
• security incident

If you run a business then you should also prepare for emergencies and how they may affect your businesses. For more information visit the Business Continuity Institute.

If you would like to get involved by supporting your community then contact your local Council for more information.