Although we would like to think it wouldn’t happen to us, it’s imperative that you are prepared for a variety of emergencies to increase the safety for you and your family/housemates. We have created a guide to help you to be prepared for a range of household emergencies, below.
Regular Structure Checks
By having professionals regular check the structure of your property, including the walls and roofing sheets, you can reduce the chances of your property having a structural emergency. It’s particularly important that these checks are carried out if poor weather is predicted, so you can be sure that the property is secure.
Pack A ‘Go’ Bag
When a household emergency occurs, you don’t know how long you will be unable to live in the property for. Therefore, by having a ‘go’ bag, you can have all the essentials you need if you have to leave your property in a hurry. Place the bag somewhere where you will be able to take shelter. The bag should include:
- First Aid Kit
- Chargers And Spare Phone
- Three Days’ Worth Of Water And Food
- Torches
- Pet Supplies
- Blankets And Jackets
- Can Opener For Food
- Toiletries, Personal Sanitation And Tablets
- Cash
Create A Plan Of Action
When a household emergency takes place, you won’t have much time to escape the property. Therefore, it’s a good idea to create a plan of action for all the household emergencies that could occur. When the emergency happens, you will have a better chance of getting out the property safely if you know exactly what you are doing. Make sure that all the residents in the house knows each plan and check in with one another when you are out of the property to make sure everyone is safe.
Fire Alarms And Smoke Detectors
For the best chance of noticing a fire, have your smoke detectors and fire alarms regularly tested by a firefighter to ensure that they work well. Also, sleep next to your phone, so if you identify the start of a fire you can ring the fire service immediately. You can also have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted, which you should have placed on every level of the home and outside every bedroom for maximum safety and protection.
Power Cut Preparation
It’s important that you prepare for a power cut; know where the candles, matches and torches are in your property. When a power cut occurs, you can put lights all in one room and everyone can safely sit in there.
Emergency Numbers
Have a list of all the emergency contacts you could possibly need both in your phone and in a phone book for your ‘go’ bag. These can include:
- Veterinary Surgery
- Family Doctor And Hospital
- Family members
- Neighbours
- Workplaces, Day care And School
Hopefully these top tips will help you to be more prepared in the case of a household emergency at your property. Remember to have a plan in place and ensure that everyone in the house knows what they need to do in an emergency.
