How you can prepare
Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as making an emergency supply kit and developing a family emergency plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency. However, there are important differences among potential emergencies that will affect the decisions you make and the actions you take. Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happen where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them.
In addition, learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by the Local Resilience Forum. We must be prepared for man-made disasters as well as natural ones. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.
What to do when an emergency happens
Learn how and when to turn off utilities
What to do when an emergency happens
In a major emergency, if you are not involved in the incident, but are close by or believe you may be in danger, the best advice is to go inside a safe building, stay inside until you are advised to do otherwise, and tune in to local radio or TV for information.
- Make sure 999 has been called if people are injured or if there is a threat to life
- Do not put yourself or others in danger
- Follow the advice of the emergency services
- Try to remain calm and think before acting, and try to reassure others
- Check for injuries - remember to help yourself before attempting to help others.
If you are not involved in the incident, but are close by or believe you may be in danger, in most cases the advice is:
- Go inside a safe building
- Stay inside until you are advised to do otherwise
- Tune in to local radio or TV for more information.
Of course, there are always going to be particular occasions when you should not 'go in' to a building, for example if there is a fire. Otherwise GO IN, STAY IN, TUNE IN.
Whether you are at home, work or elsewhere, there may be situations when it's simply best to stay where you are and avoid any uncertainty outside.
- Bring your family and pets inside
- Lock doors, close windows, air vents and fireplace dampers
- Turn off fans, air conditioning and forced air heating systems
- Take your emergency supply kit unless you have reason to believe it has been contaminated
- Go into an interior room with few windows, if possible
- Emergency responders may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.
Learn how and when to turn off utilities:
- Locate the electric, gas and water shut-off valves
- Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves
- Teach family members how to turn off utilities
- If you turn the gas off, a professional must turn it back on. Do not attempt to do this yourself. Phone Corgi on 0870 401 2300 and for the Electrical Contractors Association 020 7313 4800.
- Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighbourhood
- If you have a car, keep a half tank of fuel in it at all times in case you need to evacuate
- Become familiar with alternative routes and other means of getting out of your area
- If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to
- Take your emergency supply kit unless you have reason to believe it has been contaminated
- Lock the door behind you
- Take your pets with you, but understand that only guide or hearing dogs may be permitted in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency.
Schools and day-care
If you are a parent, or guardian of an elderly or disabled adult, make sure schools and daycare providers have emergency response plans.
- Ask how they will communicate with families during a crisis
- Ask if they store adequate food, water and other basic supplies
- Find out if they are prepared to 'stay put' if need be, and where they plan to go if they must get away.
Neighbourhoods and apartment/highrise buildings
A community working together during an emergency makes sense.
- Talk to your neighbours about how you can work together during an emergency
- Find out if anyone has specialised equipment like a power generator, or expertise such as medical knowledge, that might help in a crisis
- Decide who will check on elderly or disabled neighbours
- Make back-up plans for children in case you can't get home in an emergency
- Sharing plans and communicating in advance is a good strategy.
When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it's best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.
Recommended items to include in a basic emergency supply kit:
- Water: 7 pints (4 litres) of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food: at least three days' supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered radio and extra batteries or wind-up radio
- Torch and extra batteries
- First aid kit:
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask: to help to filter contaminated air
- Wet wipes, rubbish/bin bags and plastic ties for personal hygiene
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Tin opener for food (if kit contains tinned food).
Additional items to consider adding to an emergency supply kit:
- Prescription medications and glasses
- Infant formula and disposable nappies and nappy sacks
- Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, passports, National Insurance numbers, NHS numbers and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
- Cash or traveller's cheques and change
- Emergency reference material such as a first aid manual
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person; consider additional bedding during winter
- Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved top, trousers and sturdy shoes; consider additional clothing during winter
- Water purification tablets
- Fire extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- Paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
- Paper and pencil
- Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.
Remember the unique needs of your family members when making your emergency supply kit and family emergency plan.
Your pet emergency kit should include:
- Pet food and treats
- Drinkable water in plastic bottles
- Can opener for canned food
- Pet medications and medical records in a waterproof container
- Sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or carriers so you can move your pets safely and they can’t escape (remember they may be scared and may act differently from usual)
- Current photos of your pet in case they get lost
- The name of your veterinarian
- Pet beds and toys, if there is room.
All your pets should have an identification tag and collar, too.
- It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than a local call, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
- Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has coins or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.
- You may have trouble getting through, or the telephone system may be down altogether, but be patient. Try sending a text message from a mobile phone.
Download and complete the Family Emergency plan.
For more information on preparing for emergencies visit www.pfe.gov.uk.
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