Coping with emergencies – top ten tips

2. Always listen carefully to the advice of the emergency services – and follow their instructions.

3. Make a list of your important telephone numbers and write down your plan of action including reminders of what to take if you need to leave your home quickly.

4. Lock all doors and windows if you have to leave your home.

5. Tell someone who is close to you where you are and where you are going.

6. Keep your mobile phone and charger with you at all times.

7. Try and remain calm – it really helps in an emergency.

8. Check to see if your neighbours need help.

9. Think about how you can help your neighbours and vulnerable or elderly people.

10. Decide what you can do to protect your pets and animals.

Useful websites

Here is a compendium of useful websites listed throughout the Prepare for the unexpected site.

Floods

Floodline
Environment Agency
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Health Protection Agency

Drought & water saving tips

Information on water butts

Heatwaves

Met Office
Buy a first aid manual

Terrorism

Government warnings

Severe weather in winter

Severe weather warnings

Fire prevention and safety

Fire kills: you can prevent it
Clearing up after a fire
Fire and emergency support service

Car breakdown

Common causes of car breakdown
What to do in the event of breakdown

Chemical emergencies

Buy your first aid kit

First aid for all

Get training in first aid
First aid tips
How to resuscitate people
First aid for burns

Pets and emergencies

RSPCA
Advice on all aspects of caring for your pet
Vets Now
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
Basic first aid for pets

Travelling abroad

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Get a European Health Insurance Card
What we can do to help – from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Emergencies in schools

School emergency planning
Teachernet resource

Emergencies in business

Preparing for emergencies – the UK government website
London Prepared – works equally well for businesses outside London!
MI5 website
Top ten security guidelines
Advice for business continuity after an incident