Preparing Yourself For Emergencies

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• Preparing Yourself For Emergencies

It is important to prepare yourself and your property for an emergency situation. There are many simple steps you can take to reduce your vulnerability and be able to respond to an emergency quickly and safely. The following points may be useful:

• Find out where and how to turn off, water, gas, electricity supplies in your own home
• Check that you are insured. Find out exactly what your insurance company will cover, for example temporary accommodation and if they will arrange clean-up and repair work
• Think about how to protect your property from flooding
• Plan your escape route and ensure you have keys for window locks both upstairs and downstairs
• It is also important to consider any elderly or vulnerable neighbours who might need your help or if you have pets, think about who could look after them in the event of an emergency.

Preparing a grab bag can mean a speedy evacuation and can ensure you have everything you may need in the event that you are evacuated from your home. This should be stored somewhere easy to get to, such as by the front door, and should contain:

• A list of useful phone numbers, such as your GP, insurance company and family members
• Cash or credit cards
• A First Aid kit
• Toiletries, sanitary supplies and any prescription medicines
• A battery radio, and spare batteries (in-case of powercut)
• A torch with spare batteries, candles and matches
• Spare/warm clothes and blankets
• Bottled water
• Non-perishable food items

You can also prepare yourself and your family by taking part in a First Aid course or you could even join St. John Ambulance or the Red Cross, which would enable you to respond to and help those affected by emergencies. For more information about these organisations in your area visit: