Warnings and alerts

Sign up for the Met Office for weather warnings or the Environment Agency for flood alerts and warnings.

Stay up to date with local news and weather reports via your TV, radio and newspapers.

If you have a mobile phone that uses the 4G or 5G phone networks, then you will automatically receive emergency alerts. This is a new national alert service that may be used in an emergency.

If you don’t have a mobile phone that can use these networks, tell your neighbours, family and friends who will be able to share any information with you.

Make a grab bag

This can include important documents, medication and a first aid kit, a battery-powered or wind-up torch and radio, a portable power bank for charging your mobile phone, bottled water, tinned foods (and a tin opener), pet food, baby supplies such as nappies and formula, and some cash.

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.

Friends, families and neighbours

It’s important that everyone in your home knows what to do in case of an emergency.

Talk with the people you live with about the hazards in this booklet, what you would do as a household if they happened, where you would go if you needed to evacuate, and how you would stay in touch with each other.

If you live on your own, talk to friends, family and neighbours about what you do in an emergency. Think about each of the risks and what that would mean for you.

The Priority Services Register

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is free to join and lets utility companies (energy, gas and water suppliers) know if you need extra support.

You may be eligible for the PSR if you use medical equipment that is reliant on electricity or water, live with children under 5, are over 60 years old, or have a disability.

Visit the PSR website for more information.

If you do not have access to the internet, speak to friends and family, or visit your local library and ask for help.