Step 1 - create a household emergency plan
- talk about the kind of emergencies that could happen, for example a major power cut, and think ahead
- have a battery operated radio, to listen in to important announcements
- keep supplies of tinned food, bottled water, candles and matches, in case you are unable to leave your home
- do you, your family or neighbours need extra help due to vulnerability or disability? Think now about who could help
- identify possible exit routes from each room in your home
- agree a couple of alternative meeting points for you and your family if you can’t meet back at home
- create your checklist for a Go Bag (more information on this in step 3) in case you need to evacuate your home quickly
- make sure you know where to turn off the electricity, gas and water supply in your house
- ensure that you have adequate and up-to-date insurance
- think about arrangements for family pets should you need to leave your home
- find out about the emergency plans for your workplace and children's schools
- write down an emergency contact (ICE) list (more in step 2) and remember to include a family member or friend who lives out of town and is unlikely to be affected by the same emergency
- remember to share your plan with your family and, twice a year, read, review and discuss it
Download:
home emergency plan from Cumbria Local resilience Forum
personal flood plan from GOV.UK
household emergency planning leaflet from Action with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) (view on screen)
household emergency planning leaflet from Action with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) (to print A4)