Click on the image below to download our ‘Preparing for Emergencies Checklist’ and take time to complete the actions.

One of the most important things you can do to prepare for an emergency is to spend a few minutes putting together a Household Emergency Plan and making sure your immediate family know about it.

Having a plan can help you deal quickly and effectively in a stressful situation. 

Consider and complete the answers to the questions to help your family be better prepared.

Click on the image below to download the plan

An Emergency Grab Bag holds vital information and items that may be useful in an emergency.

The bag should be small enough to carry, be stored in an easily accessible place to collect in the event of an emergency and your immediate family members should know where to find it.  The bag should be regularly checked and maintained.

The contents will vary according to your needs, but you may want to consider including the items on our checklist.  Click on the image below to download a copy and amend, as appropriate, to include your own items.

In certain situations, you may be asked to leave your home by the Emergency Services. 

Before an evacuation occurs it would be useful to:

• plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighbourhood;

• become familiar with alternative routes and other means of getting out of your area;

• if you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to;

• if you have a car, keep a half tank of fuel in it at all times in case you need to evacuate.

It may be useful to identify an ‘Emergency Friend’ or someone you can trust to help you in an emergency.  Emergency Friends can help each other if one of their homes or members of family have been affected by an emergency.

Talk and agree how you can help each other in the event of an emergency. Ensure all your immediate family know who your Emergency Friends are and make a note of their names and contact details.

Some of your neighbours may be more vulnerable than others, especially in the event of an emergency, so it would be helpful to get to know your neighbours beforehand. Helping your friends and neighbours is important and can save lives – just checking that someone is well or calling to have a chat may help them.

Your pet(s) are an important part of your family and need to be considered during an emergency just as much as yourself and your family.

Try to identify friends, family or boarding kennels that can be used to temporarily house your pet(s) in case they cannot be accommodated with you;

Prepare an Emergency Evacuation Kit for your pets(s). Think about the basic things you would need to take care of your pet(s) for a few days.  The contents will vary according to your needs, but you may want to consider including the items on our checklist.  Click on the image below to download a copy and amend, as appropriate, to include your own items.

It is a good idea to make sure you have some essential items in your car in case you are travelling during an emergency or need to use it to leave your home.

You may wish to consider including the items on our Preparing Your Car checklist and keeping items in your vehicle at all times in case you break down or get stuck in severe traffic. 

Click on the image below to download a copy and amend, as appropriate, as the contents will vary according to your needs.