Preparing for and dealing with emergencies at home
An emergency can happen at any time without notice and it might be some time before help arrives. It is very important that you and your family have made preparations for emergencies at home.
Household emergency lifesaving plan
A Household Emergency Lifesaving Plan provides vital information which could help you during an emergency. The plan can be agreed by a family or household in an advance and kept safe for use in the future.
Household emergency lifesaving pack
A Household Emergency Lifesaving Pack provides vital equipment and supplies which could help you during an emergency. The pack can be prepared in advance and kept safe for use in the future. Find a waterproof container and fill it with:
- a battery radio with spare batteries or a wind up radio
- a battery torch, with spare batteries or a wind up torch;
- candles and matches
- a first aid kit
- a copy of your Household Emergency Lifesaving Plan
- copies of important documents like birth certificates and insurance policies
- emergency food (enough for three days) and a tin opener
- bottled water (2.5 litres per person for each day)
The pack you put together should be stored in a safe place which can be easily accessed by everyone in the household. It is a good idea to regularly check expiry dates on first aid supplies and food to make sure they aren't past their use-by dates.
