Our Top 5 Tips to help you prepare for an emergency:
1. Get suitable insurance
Before an emergency has even occurred, it's best to think about ensuring that you can get your life back to normal as quickly, and as completely, as possible. Look at what your insurance really covers, and for how much or how long! Will it cover as much (or as little) as you want, and will it help you in meeting any temporary accommodation costs? Getting this right before the emergency occurs will really help when it occurs!
2. Put those valuable documents and belongings upstairs
This seems so obvious for those who are in a flood risk area, but have you done this? It means that if a flood occurs, you are not rushing around to find those important documents or belongings like insurance policies, passports, car ownership information or any other critical documents that may be needed after the emergency. What about those photos or other belongings you want to keep safe? The same rule still applies.
3. Back up those important files and photos on your computer
How often do you make copies of those crucial documents on your favourite music or photos onto a disc or memory stick? For added protection, make sure they are stored away from your property. Perhaps you could do a regular swap of your back up discs or sticks with a friend or member of your family? Perhaps giving them photocopies of your important documents or insurance details will provide extra cover just in case your entire property is affected by something like fire?
4. Put together your own emergency kit
This needn't be expensive. Just a few basics will really help:
- A simple first aid kit
- Spare essential medication
- A torch with spare batteries, candles and matches
- A battery radio with spare batteries
- A list of all your important contact numbers
- Also, it is always useful to have bottled water, ready to eat food and a tin/bottle opener, in case you have to remain in your home for several days.
Make sure you can easily add the following when it's needed:
- Spare clothes and blankets
- Your mobile phone.
5. Get ready to leave your home
In a major emergency, such as flood, there may be a need for you to evacuate your home. Try and gather together:
- A list of useful phone numbers, such as your doctors' and close relatives'
- Home and car keys
- Toiletries, sanitary supplies and any regularly prescribed medication
- If you have a medic alert, make sure you have this with you
- A battery radio, with spare batteries
- A torch with spare batteries, candles and matches
- A first aid kit
- Your mobile phone
- Cash and credit cards
- Spare clothes and blankets.
Remember before you go:
- Turn off electricity, gas and water supplies
- Secure your property
- If you are taking your car, take some extra blankets and bottled water with you.
