Here are a few things you can do to make sure you and your family are ready in an emergency.

Be informed

To prepare for an emergency, take time to find out:

  • Where and how to turn off water, gas and electricity supplies in your home
  • The emergency procedures for your children at school
  • The emergency procedures at your workplace
  • How your family will stay in contact in the event of an emergency
  • If any elderly or vulnerable neighbours might need your help
  • How to tune in to your local radio station
  • If you are a tenant and rent your property, do you know who your landlord is and how to contact them in an emergency? Have you discussed with your landlord what arrangements they have in place to support you if you are evacuated?
  • If you are a homeowner, does your insurance cover you for emergency accommodation if you are evacuated?

Be prepared

Make an emergency grab-bag of things you could need.

Prepare together

  • Involve the whole family.

If you have young children, there are a few things you can do to make sure they are prepared too. Check that children:

  • Know their first and last name
  • Know their full address
  • Can say and dial their home phone number
  • Know who to contact in an emergency

The chances of you and your family being caught up in a major emergency are low. However, it is very important that you have made the necessary preparations to protect yourself, your family and others.

Here are some additional steps and information that you can use to prepare for and emergency.

Household Emergency Life-Saving Plan

The Household Emergency Life-Saving Plan is a template that will help you and your family prepare for an emergency. The Plan will let you record potential dangers in and around your home and put into place ways of dealing with them.

Visit the CRF (Cheshire Resilience Forum) website for more information.

Emergency Grab Bag

An emergency could happen at any time. An Emergency Grab Bag is a useful kit packed with essentials in case you have to evacuate.

It will need to be easily found by all family members, and should be checked every six months. A backpack or a small suitcase with wheels will be suitable, and could include the following items:

  • Copy of your Household Emergency Life-Saving Plan (HELP)
  • First aid kit and medication
  • Copies of important family documents in a waterproof bag
  • Prescription medication
  • A list of important telephone numbers including family, friends and your emergency contacts for your landlord or insurance company.
  • Cash and Credit Cards
  • Car Keys
  • Toiletries and sanitary supplies
  • Mobile phone and charger
  • Infant supplies
  • Spare clothes
  • A battery torch with spare batteries or a wind up torch
  • A battery radio with spare batteries or wind up radio
  • Bottled water and emergency food, enough for three days
  • Childcare supplies or other special care items
  • Extra set of house and car keys
Emergency Car Grab Bag

You should also consider keeping a special grab bag in your car, which could be extremely useful during periods of extreme weather.

It might include the following:

  • Suitable winter clothes and a blanket or a sleeping bag
  • Mobile phone, torch, radio and extra batteries
  • Shovel and windscreen scraper
  • Tow chain and rope
  • Jump leads
  • Non-perishable food and water

If you are asked to leave your home by the emergency services, take your complete Household Emergency Life-Saving Plan plus your Emergency Grab Bag and leave as quickly as possible.

3 February 2023