There are simple steps that you and your family can follow to ensure that you are prepared for every eventuality. Some of those steps are detailed below:

Write a family emergency plan

Sit down with the members of you family/home and come up with a series of actions that can be easily followed if an emergency happens.  Once you have listed these actions you can start to make your plan.  The plan should contain the following information:

• A list of contact numbers for family and friends. Contact numbers for doctors, plumbers, your insurers, gas, water and electricity companies etc.
• A family contact point – this should be a friend or relative who lives outside the affected area that you and your family members can contact incase you get seperated in an evacuation, so family members living in another town/city is a good idea. Make sure that all household members know who the contact point is. 
• Instructions of how to turn off the electricity, gas and water safely.

Pack an Emergency Bag/Case

In the event of an emergency you may be required to either leave your home or stay inside, depending on what the emergency is.   Consider packing two bags. One for incase of evacuation and one for staying inside your home. Packing an emergency bag is an ideal way of ensuring that you have everything you will need in either circumstance.

Create a list of the items that your family may need.

For your evacuation bag/case this may include medication and clothes. If medication is needed and cannot be placed in a secure bag for an emergency then write a list of the medication so you can alert an officer to what is needed if you have to leave your home. Make sure that all family members  know where  the bag is kept and when to use it and ensure that all family members can find the emergency bag/case in the dark.  A few suggestions of what your case could contain are:

• Medication (or a list of required medication)
• A list of family contact numbers
• A change of clothes
• Toiletries
• Money
• Any important documentation, for example, insurance details

An emergency may occur that requires you to stay inside, with this in mind you may want to consider either packing a bag or having a cupboard to store items that you may need. Again, make sure that all family members know where the bag or cupboard is and when to use it. A few suggestions of what your bag/cupboard can contain are:

• Torch, including batteries
• Battery operated radio, including batteries
• A small first aid kit
• Bottled water (this will need to be changed every 6 months)
• Food, preferably tinned with a tin opener