How to be Prepared
No matter what kind of incident occurs, it always pays to be prepared. By following this easy advice, coping with an emergency can be done with a minimum amount of disruption.
To be prepared always:
* Keep a battery powered torch to hand
* Have a battery powered or wind up radio available
* Maintain a supply of ready to eat food that does not require preparation or cooking
* Keep a supply of fresh bottled water
* Have some warm clothing or blankets available
* Ensure that your landline telephone works properly in the event of a power cut
* Do not rely solely on a mobile phone as it may need recharging and networks may become overloaded
* Keep a supply of spare batteries
* Have all medication and prescriptions in an accessible place in case you are asked to evacuate (and remember to take them with you)
* Have a first aid kit
* Identify any special needs or requirements that anyone in your house or premises may have (the elderly, young children, those on medication or those with disabilities, etc)
* Keep a list of useful telephone numbers to hand (Doctor, the local authority, utility companies, etc)
Familiarise yourself with the procedures for switching off gas, electricity and water supplies