Being Prepared

The most important people to think about in any emergency situation are the people in your immediate family and household. When making your plans and preparations there are certain things that you will need to bear in mind:

• You may be separated from each other.
• You may not be able to communicate.
• Power supplies may be cut.
• You or other members of your family could be injured, possibly seriously.
• You may find yourselves in a dangerous situation involving fire, flooding or other elements.

To be prepared you should ensure that you have spoken to your family and with your immediate neighbours about what you might do. Include some or all of the following suggestions in your plans to stay safe:

• Decide how best to stay in touch with family members in an emergency situation.
• If not at home, agree how you will contact each other, who will pick up the children from school and who will check on elderly or disabled family members or neighbours.
• In case you are separated, decide on a member of your family (who may live in another location) who you will all contact to let everyone know you are safe.
• Make sure everybody knows this person's address, home, mobile and work numbers. Give these details to your own workplace and to your children's school.
• Agree on a place that you will all meet if separated.

Store important documents safely

In most emergency situations your immediate concern will be your safety. In the event of an evacuation all household items and belongings should be left behind. However, in emergencies where there is no immediate danger, you may have time to look for important documents before leaving your home. So, it's important to ensure that they are all kept in the same place.

It's a good idea to keep the following in a waterproof container or small portable safe in a safe place where it can easily be retrieved:

• Wills
• Passports
• Photos
• Birth and marriage certificates

Radio and TV warnings

In major emergency situations it may be necessary to issue warnings via the national media advising you on the best course of action. Such messages would normally be broadcast on all national radio and TV channels.

Remember you may not have power, so it's important to keep a battery-operated radio and tune into one of the following stations:

• RTE Radio 1
• RTE 2 FM
• Today FM
• RTE Lyric FM
• RTE Radio na Gaeltachta
• Newstalk 106

It is anticipated that your local radio station will also carry key messages.

Wherever possible information and warnings will also be broadcast on the following TV channels.

• RTE 1
• RTE 2
• TV3
• TG4

Learn about safety in your home

• Find out how and where to turn off electricity, gas and water supplies in your home.
• Make sure you know the numbers of your local Garda station, GP, Bord Gáis, ESB and your local council and keep them near your phone.
• Dial 999 or 112 for immediate connection to fire and ambulance services and if you require emergency Garda assistance.

Learn some basic first aid

Knowing the basics of first aid can be very useful in any emergency and can prevent further injury or distress. Basic courses are regularly run by your local St. John's Ambulance, Irish Red Cross, Civil Defence and in many community colleges.

Prepare an emergency kit and keep it handy

The following items may prove invaluable in helping you stay safe and cope with a range of emergency situations:

• Battery-operated radio (with spare batteries).
• Torch (with spare batteries), candles and waterproof matches.
• First aid kit and manual.
• Medication, toiletry and sanitary supplies.
• Supplies for infants, the elderly and family members with disabilities.
• Spare clothes and sleeping bags for each family member.
• Mobile phone, charger and spare battery.
• Strong plastic bags (for clothing, valuables, documents and photographs).
• Copies of important family documents (birth certificates, passports and licences).
• Contact details for your agreed family contact.
• Playing cards or games for young children.

You should try to make sure the following will be available in the event of an emergency where power, gas and water supplies have been cut:

• Make arrangements to have essential supplies (food and water) stored somewhere in your home, to last for up to three days.
• Duct tape and a sheet of plastic to seal windows, scissors and a Swiss army knife.
• Fire extinguisher.

Read about business continuity planning here.