Advice during an emergency

Be ready to look after yourself. If you are at home and an emergency happens, try to gather together:

• a list of useful phone numbers, such as your doctor's and close relatives'
• home and car keys
• toiletries, sanitary supplies and any regularly prescribed medication
• a battery radio, with spare batteries
• a torch with spare batteries, candles and matches
• a first aid kit
• your mobile phone and charger
• cash and credit cards
• spare clothes and blankets
• important documents such as insurance or finances

Also, it is always useful to have:

• bottled water
• ready to eat food (e.g. tinned food)
• a bottle opener and tin opener

in case you have to remain in your home for several days.

In certain very unlikely situations you may be asked to leave your home by the emergency services or you may choose to leave home yourself. If this happens, leave as quickly and calmly as possible. If you have time, turn off electricity, gas and water supplies, unplug appliances and lock all doors and windows.

See the items listed above for a suggestion of what to take with you

If you leave by car, take bottled water and blankets, and tune in to local radio stations for emergency advice and instructions.

Make sure you have contacted a friend, relative or neighbour to tell them where you are going and contact them when you have arrived so you can be found if the emergency services or council need to contact you.

When you are told that it is safe to return home, open windows to provide fresh air before reconnecting gas, electricity and water supplies.