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Preparing for emergencies

Simple steps you can take to prepare your house and useful phone numbers and radio frequencies you may need in the event of an emergency.

The one thing you can be sure of in an emergency situation is that it will probably be the last thing you expected. Floods, severe weather, transport accidents (air, sea, road, rail) or incidents involving dangerous chemicals usually strike without warning.

What is likely to cause a major emergency?

• natural disasters such as storms and floods
• transport accidents
• environmental pollution such as toxic gas or a radioactive clouds
• acts of terrorism

What should I do?

•  If you are a witness, dial 999 and alert the police, fire service or ambulance service.
• If you are stranded in your home, tune in to your local radio station and television for advice and listen out for   emergency telephone numbers.
• Pass on any warning to neighbours and check on the elderly and disabled if it is safe to do so.
• Please limit your telephone calls.

Radio and TV

In major emergency situations, it may be necessary to issue warnings and advice to the public. Such messages would normally be broadcast on relevant radio and TV channels. Remember to cater for power cuts - you should have a battery-operated radio and know how to tune in to your local stations.

These are:

• Fox FM: FM 102.6/97.4 MHz
• Radio Oxford: FM 95.2 MHz

Other useful contacts

• Anti-Terrorism hotline: 800 789 321
• Crimestoppers (Northern Ireland): 0800 555 111
• Floodline: 0845 988 1188
• Foreign Office emergency number: 0870 606 0290
• NHS Direct: 0845 46 47
• NHS 24 (Scotland): 08454 24 24 2

Emergency provisions

You may find it useful to keep the following items in your home in case of emergencies:

• a torch and batteries
• candles and matches
• a portable radio and batteries
• something to drink (cans or bottled water etc)

If I am alerted by the police what can I expect?

You may be asked to stay indoors and close outside doors and windows.

If the police ask you to leave your home:

• Please follow their instructions. Their prime responsibility is your safety and they will know more than you   about the level of danger.
• They will probably ask you to go to a rest centre - if you decide to go anywhere else, let someone know so   you can be accounted for.
• If there is time, take warm clothing, special food for babies and any medicines you may need.
• Before you leave, switch off gas and electrical appliances and extinguish coal burning fires.

Major hazard sites

Some industries, because of the nature and quantity of chemicals or substances stored or processed, are required by law to distribute information to people living in the immediate vicinity of the hazardous sites.

If you live in the immediate vicinity of such a site you should have received an information card from the company. Make sure that you and all occupants understand the information and advice so that you can take the appropriate action in the event of an accident.

If you have not received the information card, you should contact the company.