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Advice for coping with emegencies
If a severe storm is threatened -
- Tie down loose items outside that cannot be brought in
- Stay indoors, preferably downstairs, and keep pets in
- Clear windowsills and close curtains to protect against flying glass
- If gas, electricity or water is cut off, tell the relevant service
- As soon as it is safe, rope off or protect damaged areas to prevent injury from falling masonry, broken glass or electric cables
If there is a risk of flooding -
- Keep an emergency pack of torch and radio with batteries, candle, matches, bottled water and perhaps a camping gas cooker ring
- Protect doorways and low level air vents with sandbags or refuse bags filled with earth
- Turn off gas and electricity
- Move as much as you can, including food, upstairs
- If you are trapped by flooding, remain near a window to attract attention
- Call Floodline at the environment agency on 0845 988 1188 for warnings and information
- Check on your neighbours, particularly those who are elderly or infirm
- For further information click on: Environment Agency
Chemical accidents, toxic fumes and smoke -
- Stay indoors, shut all doors and windows and tune into your radio local station
- Switch off air conditioning or fans
- If you are outside, go to the nearest public building or shop
- Listen to loudspeaker and radio/TV announcements, and be ready to move if the area is evacuated
Other emergencies, e.g. rail, air crashes etc. -
- If you are first on the scene, raise the alarm dial 999 and inform the Emergency Services
- Unless you are directly involved, keep well away from the scene
- Do not drive to the scene as this may block access to the emergency services
Emergency evacuation -
- If the Police ask you to leave your home, please co-operate
- Your safety is their responsibility. They will only ask you to leave if it is essential for your own safety
- They will probably ask you to go to a reception centre. If you decide to go anywhere else, for example to relatives, let someone know, so you can be accounted for.
- Don't worry if you are sick, frail or disabled - special arrangements will be made for you.
- If you have elderly or disabled neighbours, check that they are alright or inform the Emergency Services that they require assistance.
- If there is time, take along any medicines, warm clothes, any special foods, personal documents, immediate valuables and baskets and leads for pets.
- Before you leave, make sure fires are out, switch off gas and electricity and lock up.
Power cuts -
Severe weather can mean power cuts and possibly loss of other services such as gas or water over a wide area.
- Inform the power supply company that you are without power
- Keep a small emergency pack and know where to find it - even in the dark
- Keep in it a torch, radio (with batteries), candles and matches
- Watch out for the fire risks if you have to use the candles
- You may need to switch off supplies at the main - if you don't know how to, check with gas, electricity and water authorities now
- If you need the police, fire or ambulance services, obviously dial 999 and give the operator your number so that you can be traced if the line is cut
- If anyone is seriously injured, you will obviously need the Ambulance Service but you may be able to deal with minor injuries yourself if you have some knowledge of first aid
Damage to property and possessions
Accidents, storms or flooding can leave a trail of destruction in their wake. Proper insurance cover for property and possessions can ease much of the distress.
- Insurance can cover the cost of building repairs and replacement of household contents as new - you can insure against a wide range of risks including
- Housing Associations will repair the buildings they own, but tenants should check whether they need to insure their personal possessions themselves
- Tenants should know who to contact for emergency repairs
- People with leasehold or privately-rented homes should check agreements for property repairs with the landlord or agent
- If you need to arrange repairs, stick to established firms with good reputations
- If you can't find anyone suitable, ask a recognised trade association for advice
- Decide now which firms you would use in an emergency and make a note of their number with details of your insurance on the contact sheet
