Preparing for an emergency

Emergencies can occur without warning and may cause disruptions. Pre-planning and taking small steps to reduce risk will increase your resilience and might help to limit the impacts of an incident.

To prepare for an emergency, you should take time to find out and plan in advance:

• Where and how to turn off water, gas and electricity supplies in your home
• The emergency procedures for your children at school
• The emergency procedures at your workplace
• How your family will say in contact in the event of an emergency
• If any elderly or vulnerable neighbours might need your help
• How to tune in to your local radio station
• How you would look after yourself for up to three days without leaving your home (e.g. having enough food, medicine, and bottled water for drinking)
• Where you would stay if you are told to leave your home in an emergency e.g. with friends, family, or at an alternative accommodation

It is useful to have some essential items prepared. The items should be stored in a grab bag which is easily accessible to everyone in your family. Items in your grab bag might change seasonally or depending on the needs of your household, so make sure it is regularly checked. Items might include:

• A list of useful phone numbers, such as your doctor's and close relatives'
• Home and car keys
• Toiletries, sanitary supplies and regularly prescribed medication
• A battery radio, with spare batteries
• A first aid kit
• Your mobile phone and charger
• Cash and payment cards
• Spare clothes and blankets
• Important documents such as insurance or finances

In case of a power cut it might also be useful to have:

• Bottled water
• Ready to eat food (e.g. tinned food)
• A bottle opener and tin opener

Please also see the guidance document - Preparing for Emergencies in Warwickshire

This guidance document outlines some of the risks identified in Warwickshire and provides practical advice on how to minimise the impact and likelihood of these risks affecting you or your family.