How prepared are you for an emergency? Do you know how to deal with a crisis?

September is preparedness month so we’re sharing some tips and advice on how you can be prepared when the unexpected happens. 

Tips to help you be Weather Ready!

Being aware and prepared for adverse weather conditions can make a real difference, especially faced with an emergency.

There are simple steps you can take to make sure your home or business is weather-ready, and you and your family stay safe if there is some adverse weather. 

• If you are planning to travel, especially long distances, make sure you take necessary equipment dependant on the weather, such as plenty of food, sunscreen or maybe some wet weather gear.

• Consider what equipment in your home and garden may be affected by strong winds, such as trampolines or garden furniture. Consider a way of securing these items. 

• Check the drains and guttering in your home so they are able to cope with heavy rainfall - particular with the imminent arrival of autumnal weather.

• You may also consider checking if your property is at risk from flooding: Check the long term flood risk for an area in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• Consider what you would need in case of a powercut and remember the power cut helpline 105. 

• Check out if you are Weather Ready: WeatherReady - Met Office. 

You can sign up to the Met Office free weather alerts, which will inform you of any adverse weather conditions in your area. 

Home fire preparedness

Fire is a hazard that is potentially present in everyone's home and office, but there are ways to be prepared and protect yourself in an emergency. You can also learn some smart habits which can prevent fires from happening. 

• Make sure you have the right number of fire alarms installed in your home or office. You should have at least one per level of your home, plus some in rooms where a fire can start. 
• Practice with children what a smoke alarm sounds like and what to do if they hear one.
• Don't forget to install a carbon monoxide alarm. 
• Make sure that all members of your household know two ways to escape from every room. Have you all agreed on a family meeting spot in case of a fire? 
• Ensure that everyone knows how to dial 999 in the event of an emergency. 
• Teach children to Stop, Drop and Roll if their clothes catch on fire. 
• Make sure you have your chimney swept on a regular basis. 

You can book for your local fire service to do a free home visit and advise you on any safety tips specifically for your home! 

Do you know how to stay safe online?