doodlefam00WHAT THE GUIDANCE SAYS
Ten minutes at the kitchen table can save a panic later.
The UK Government's Prepare guidance says emergencies such as flooding, fires and power cuts can affect us all, and many of the steps cost nothing. Most of them are best done together, as a household.
Pick an emergency01Principles
02THE SHORT ANSWER
The guidance groups the work into a few easy jobs.
You do not need to do them all at once.
THE PLAN
Work out the best escape route if there is a fire, and agree a meeting point. Write key numbers on paper, including 105 to report a power cut in Great Britain.
Pick an emergencyTHE KIT
A torch, a power bank, a battery or wind-up radio, spare batteries, a first aid kit, bottled water and food that needs no cooking.
How much waterTHE TALK
Teach children how and when to call 999 and help them learn their address. Swap contact details with neighbours and check on them if the power goes out.
Four jobs for today03A QUICK SCENARIO CHECK
Pick a situation to see the key step the guidance gives. The bar shows how quickly the guidance asks you to act.
Based on the UK Government's Prepare and Fire Kills guidance. In immediate danger, always call 999.
04TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
One figure on fire at home,
one on how much water a person needs.
≈ 200
People killed by fire at home in England each year
The government's Fire Kills campaign says fire kills around 200 people in the home each year in England, and in more than a third of home fires, smoke did not reach a smoke alarm in time.
HOME FIRES · FIRE KILLS
2.5–3 litres
Drinking water per person per day
Prepare cites a World Health Organisation minimum of 2.5 to 3 litres per person per day for survival, and says 10 litres a day also covers basic cooking and hygiene.
WATER · PREPARE
Prepare says there is no standard figure for how much water to store, as emergencies vary in length. Allow extra for baby formula, medical devices and pets.
05FOUR JOBS FOR TODAY
Prepare says many of its suggestions cost nothing and take a few minutes. These four are a good start for any household.
Find two ways out of each room where possible, keep exits clear and keep keys near the doors they fit.
Pick a safe place outside, such as a lamp post or a neighbour's house, so everyone is accounted for.
Include 105 for power cuts and the people you would call. The printable household emergency plan keeps it in one place.
Set a monthly reminder to check them. Children can join in the test.
06EMERGENCY ALERTS
Emergency Alerts is a UK Government service that warns of a danger to life nearby, such as severe flooding, fires or extreme weather. The phone may make a loud siren-like sound even on silent, vibrate and read the alert out.
Alerts are free and need no sign-up or app. GOV.UK says they work on all 4G and 5G networks, but not on phones that are turned off, wifi-only or on 2G or 3G. You can also sign up separately for flood warnings and Met Office alerts.
07Questions
Prepare suggests escape routes, a meeting point, and important numbers written on paper: 105 for power cuts, emergency contacts, local radio frequencies and insurance details. It offers a printable household emergency plan.
Ideas include a battery or wind-up torch, a power bank, a battery or wind-up radio, spare batteries, a first aid kit, hand sanitiser and wipes, bottled water and non-perishable food with a tin opener.
There is no standard figure. Prepare cites a WHO minimum of 2.5 to 3 litres of drinking water per person per day, and says 10 litres covers basic cooking and hygiene too.
No. Prepare says that if you are escaping a fire you should not take anything with you. Fire Kills says get out, stay out, call 999.
Prepare suggests teaching them how and when to call 999 and helping them learn their address and a parent's mobile number. Fire Kills suggests practising the escape plan and making it feel like a game.
08Sources
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