How to prepare for an emergency

Within Cheshire, we work hard to reduce the risk of an emergency incident. However, it’s always good to be prepared. There are a few things you can do to make sure you and your family are ready.

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

Be prepared

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

Prepare Together

Remember – 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

Preparation’s what you need

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. The Emergency Pocket Leaflet will show you how.

You can download your own or find one in a number of venues such as libraries, leisure centres, health premises and hospitals across Cheshire, Halton and Warrington.

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.

You can download the H.E.L.P. Household Emergency Life-Saving Plan

Below are some examples of completed Household Emergency Life-Saving Plans which may help you

  1. H.E.L.P Example 1
  2. H.E.L.P Example 2
  3. H.E.L.P Example 3

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
  • 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.

Business Continuity Management

Business Continuity Management can be defined as the management of activities and processes providing a framework for protecting your business in the event of an emergency.

A business continuity plan sets clear roles and responsibilities. Setting out what parts of the organisation’s activities and resources is essential in helping your business survive in an emergency.

Why is Business Continuity Management important?

Preparedness is the key. Business Continuity Planning is a way to ensure that your organisation has a quick and effective return to “business as usual” in the event of a major emergency. Business Continuity Management also enables businesses / services to identify those that are essential and must be provided.

Planning in advance can protect you and your business. It is essential that businesses ask themselves if they have effective business continuity plans in place.