Make an Emergency Plan and Kit

A written, practised plan helps your household make decisions early when conditions are stressful and information changes quickly.

Make Your Plan

Know the hazards that may affect your home, workplace, school, travel routes and animals.
Decide the signs that will make you leave and identify more than one safe destination and route.
Plan how household members will contact each other if separated or mobile networks fail.
Assign tasks such as collecting the kit, assisting children or older people, relocating animals and turning off services when authorities advise and it is safe.
Plan for anyone who uses mobility, medical, communication or power-dependent equipment.
Record important numbers, insurance details, prescriptions and identification. Store copies securely online and in a waterproof container.
Practise the plan, including at night, and review it when household circumstances change.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Battery-powered or wind-up radio and spare batteries
Torch, phone power banks and charging leads
First aid supplies, essential medicines and prescriptions
Drinking water and non-perishable food for every person and animal
Protective clothing, sturdy shoes, hats, gloves and P2 or N95 masks
Toiletries, hygiene products and sanitation supplies
Copies of identification, insurance, medical and animal records
Cash, keys, local maps and important contact details
Items for babies, older people, disability support and emotional comfort
Pet carriers, leads, food, water, medication and identification

Keep the kit where everyone can reach it. Replace expired food, water, medicines and batteries and adjust the contents for the season.

Plan for Isolation

Storm, fire or flood may close roads and interrupt power, water, fuel, telecommunications and deliveries.

Keep safe reserves for your household and animals, understand how essential equipment will operate during an outage and never use generators or outdoor cooking appliances inside enclosed areas.