Public urged to ‘be prepared’ as Government unveils household emergency plan

The government has launched a new website urging the public to “be prepared” for emergencies.

Deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden revealed the new “prepare” page on the government website which advises people how to protect themselves from disasters such as flooding, power outages or another pandemic.

The website calls on households to stock up on supplies such as bottled water with a recommended minimum supply of three litres per person.

The new advice suggests that households should also stock up on non-perishable foods that don’t need to be cooked such as tinned meat, vegetables and fruit, as well as baby supplies and pet food.

As well as encouraging people to prepare an emergency kit, the website includes advice on how to get involved with local community and volunteer safely.

Government Emergency Kit

• Battery or wind-up torch – torches are safer than candles.
• Portable power bank for charging your mobile phone.
• Battery or wind-up radio to get updates during a power cut – a car radio can be used, however in severe weather it might be safer to stay inside.
• Spare batteries for torches and radio and a backup battery for any medical equipment you rely on.
• A first aid kit (or some first aid items) including items such as waterproof plasters, bandages, a thermometer, antiseptic, eyewash solution, sterile dressings and gloves, medical tape for dressings, and tweezers.
• Hand sanitiser and wet wipes for hygiene purposes when the water is off.
• Bottled water – there is no standard figure for this as emergencies can vary in duration and people use different amounts. A minimum of 2.5 to three litres of drinking water per person per day is recommended by the World Health Organisation for survival. Ten litres per person per day will make you more comfortable by also providing for basic cooking and hygiene needs. Additional water might be needed to make up baby formula, for medical devices and for pets.
• Non-perishable food that doesn’t need cooking, such as ready-to-eat tinned meat, fruit or vegetables (and a tin opener). As with water, how much you need will vary based on your own circumstances. Don’t forget food for pets.
• Baby supplies such as nappies and baby formula – ready made or ‘ready-to-feed’ formula is best as you may not be able to boil water.
• Rather than buying all the items at once, you could just add to your emergency kit when you are able and build it up over time.