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Preparing your household for emergencies

Although major emergencies are uncommon, preparing in advance can help you and your family respond safely and confidently.

If there is an immediate threat to life, call 999. Follow instructions from the emergency services, check official sources for current information and do not enter floodwater or self-deploy to an incident location.

TWBC work in partnership to maintain emergency plans for the Borough, to support our communities during incidents. However, every household should consider how they would cope if normal services were disrupted.

Contents

Create a Household Emergency Plan

Consider:

  • How family members will contact each other.
  • Where you would meet if separated.
  • Important medications and medical needs.
  • Emergency contact numbers.
  • Arrangements for pets.
  • Alternative accommodation if required.

For more information on how to prepare for emergencies, visit the Kent Prepared website.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

A simple emergency kit should include:

  • A torch and spare batteries.
  • Mobile phone charger or power bank.
  • Bottled water.
  • Non-perishable food.
  • Essential medication.
  • Warm clothing and blankets.
  • Copies of important documents.

For further guidance, visit examples of what your household plan could cover.

Staying Warm

If you're struggling to stay warm during winter, a number of community warm spaces and support services may be available locally.

For help finding support and advice on keeping warm, visit Warm Welcome - Find my space and Kent County Council cold weather support.

Preparing for a power cut

Below is some advice on how residents can prepare for a power cut:

  • keep UK Power Networks freephone number handy, 0800 31 63 105 or 105 if calling from a mobile
  • UK Power Networks provides information online about their extra support during a power cut
  • keep spare batteries for radios and torches – local radio stations often broadcast helpful information
  • dress warmly in several layers of clothing, stay in one room or even get into bed
  • use battery-powered torches where possible. Avoid candles, tea-lights and other naked flames; if they must be used, never leave them unattended and keep them away from children, pets and combustible materials
  • keep fridges and freezers closed, with a blanket over as they will stay cold for many hours
  • switch off all your electrical equipment, except one light which will let you know when the power comes back on
  • remember the street lights may also be off so take care if you go out
  • look out for elderly neighbours; please consider taking them round a flask of hot water or hot food

UK Power Networks has a Priority Service Register for those who may be vulnerable and require extra assistance in a power cut. UK Power Networks currently work with the British Red Cross who can activate their volunteers to support vulnerable customers if power is affected.

For wider preparedness advice, visit the Government's Prepare.

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