Planning for emergencies: are you ready

There are some simple steps you can take now that might be of critical importance in an emergency:

• try our Get Ready test below
• prepare a household emergency plan
• prepare a basic emergency “grab bag”
• know how to find and turn off water, gas and electricity supplies in your home, check these work regularly
• know which of your neighbours might be vulnerable and need assistance
• know how to tune into your local radio stations
• know the emergency procedures for your school, workplace or the local industrial site near where you live

These steps can help you to react quickly and effectively to an emergency

Before you read on, find out how ready you and your family are by taking the following test.

1. Do you have a household emergency plan?
2. Have you discussed your plan with family and friends?
3. Do you know the emergency plan for your children's school/nursery/college?
4. Do you know the emergency plan for your place of work?
5. Have you completed a personal emergency contact list?
6. Have you prepared a check list for your emergency ''grab bag'' or packed it ready to go?
7. Do you have ICE contact(s) in your phone, wallet, or purse?
8. Do you have an emergency friend - someone unlikely to be affected by the same emergency - who can keep family and friends informed?
9. Do you have a wind up or battery-operated portable FM/AM radio?
10. Do you have alternative, agreed meeting points?
11. Do you have working smoke alarms in your home?
12. Do you have adequate contents and building insurance?
13. Do you have copies of your most important documents stored somewhere other than at home?
14. Do you have a written list of your valuables, plus photographs or DVD/video?
15. Have you undertaken a basic first aid course?
16. Have you checked if your property is in a flood risk area?
17. Have you thought about arrangements for pets if you need to leave your home?
18. Have you identified possible exit routes from every room in your home?

If you answered yes to 12 or more questions - your preparations are going well, congratulations! Just make sure you keep all your plans and information up to date.

If you scored between 8 and 12 - it’s great that you have started work on your emergency preparations . However there is a lot more you can do.

Less than 8 - you have not made enough preparations. You might not like to think about the subject. Remember, the more prepared you are, the better you will cope in an emergency.