Preparing for an emergency

In a newly launched website, the government is encouraging people to think about what they would do if they and those around them were exposed to risks ranging from floods to fires to power cuts.

The website provides simple and effective steps you can take to to help you prepare for emergencies, be more informed about hazards, and get involved in activities to support yourself and your community before, during and after an emergency.

Taking action in advance will make it easier to manage an emergency if it does happen.

The website is designed for residents in England. The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also provide advice for their residents.

Five simple things you can do now

• find out if you are eligible to sign up to your gas, electricity and water supplier’s Priority Service Registers, so companies know that you need additional support
• set a reminder in your phone or make a note on your calendar to check your smoke alarm once a month
• write down important phone numbers on paper such as the number to report a power cut (105) and the numbers of anyone you might want to contact in an emergency
• talk to your children about how and when to call 999 and what they should do if there’s an emergency, such as a fire at home
• check your long term flood risk and sign up for flood and weather warnings