What now? A guide about what to do after an emergency
Get advice on what to do next if you or your home are affected by fire, floods or other disasters.
If you’ve just been through an emergency like a fire, flood or severe storm, it’s normal to feel shaken and unsure of what comes next.
This downloadable guide [PDF] from the British Red Cross is here to help with clear and practical advice on what to do after an emergency.
Inside, you’ll find advice on what to do in the days and weeks after a crisis. The guide answers frequently asked questions and contains advice from specialists in emergency response.
From finding temporary accommodation to replacing important documents and focussing on your wellbeing, it covers the essential steps you need to follow.
What’s in the guide?
Get started on recovery with a booklet that covers these important areas:
Immediate concerns – What to do when leaving or returning home, finding accommodation, dealing with insurance and caring for pets.
Cleaning up safely – Guidance on handling food, clothing, soft furnishings, structural damage and water-related issues.
Replacing lost documents – Help with recovering important paperwork like passports, driving licences, birth, marriage and death certificates and wills.
Financial recovery – Information on accessing money, dealing with banks and recovering stocks, bonds and financial records.
Health and wellbeing – Support for accessing medical records and understanding emotional responses after a crisis.
Useful contacts – A list of organisations and services that can offer further help and support.
What now, what next?
Get started on your recovery by downloading and reading our guide.
Download the guideIf you’re struggling to cope after an emergency
Experiencing an emergency at home can be stressful. The effects of flooding, fires and other crises can be felt for months and years after.
We have trained staff and volunteers who can help if you’d like to talk about any difficulties you’re having.
Our team members can:
- offer emotional support as a friendly and understanding listener
- suggest organisations which may be able to help you
- discuss steps you can take to start or continue your recovery
Call the support line on 0808 196 3651 between 10am and 8pm Mondays and Thursdays, and between 10am and 5pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Alternatively, you can use our list of support organisations.
See more useful resources
Five tips for preparing for emergencies
Follow these tips to help you and your family to be prepared for fires, floods and storms.
Learn first aid skills for adults
Self-directed first aid learning to build your confidence so you can save lives in emergencies.