What to do in an emergency
Whilst infrequent, emergencies can happen anywhere at any time. If you are involved in an emergency or witness to it, dial 999 and alert the Police, Fire, Ambulance or Coastguard Services.
Our website provides lots of information on the risks you may face and how to prepare for emergencies.
Go in, Stay in, Tune in
If an incident is happening nearby, if you are close by or believe you may be in danger, the best advice is to Go In, Stay In, Tune In.
- Go inside to a safe building
- Stay inside until you are advised to do otherwise
- Tune into local radio, TV or social media for information (check our key contacts page for website and social media links)
Of course, there are always going to be particular occasions when you should not go in, for example if there is a fire or you are advised differently by the emergency services or your own common sense.
Leaving your home in an emergency
In certain situations, such as flooding, fires or gas leaks, you may be asked to evacuate your home by the emergency services either to a rest centre or friends and family if you can. If this happens, leave as quickly and calmly as possible, remembering to take your grab bag, listening to the instructions given by the emergency services.
If you have time:
- Turn off the electricity, gas and water supplies.
- Unplug appliances
- Take your grab bag
- Lock all doors and windows
- Tune into local radio or social media for further advice and instructions
Returning home
The Emergency Services or Local Authorities will let you know when it is safe to go home and will provide information about specific actions you should take.
Once you’re home:
- Contact relevant utility companies if damage has occurred. If you turned gas off, it must be turned on again by a professional for safety reasons.
- Seek support if you need it.
