Residents across Warwickshire are being encouraged to take simple steps to prepare themselves, their families and their communities for emergencies as part of the Government’s new #BeReady campaign.
The national campaign provides practical advice to help people prepare for emergencies and the disruption they can cause, from severe weather and flooding to power and utility outages. It encourages households to understand the risks they could face, make a plan, have some essential supplies at home and know where to find trusted information and alerts.
Here in Warwickshire, these messages complement the work already being carried out by Warwickshire Resilience Forum, whose partners work together to help the county prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. Risks identified locally include river and surface water flooding, extreme weather and loss of gas or electricity.
There are some simple things everyone can do to be better prepared:
- Check the Priority Services Register – people who may need additional support during an interruption to electricity, gas or water supplies can check whether they are eligible for the free Priority Services Register. Eligibility can include health or mobility needs, being of pensionable age or having children aged five or under at home.
- Know your risks – find out about the risks in your local area and sign up for relevant alerts and warnings. Warwickshire residents are encouraged to understand their flood risk and, where appropriate, sign up for Environment Agency flood alerts and Met Office weather warnings.
- Make a household plan – think about what you would do if you needed to leave home or if family members couldn't contact each other and keep important contact details somewhere accessible. How to prepare for an emergency - Warwickshire LRF
- Check what essentials you have – the Be Ready campaign recommends preparing for three days, with items such as bottled water, non-perishable food, essential medication, a torch and batteries, and a charged power bank. People are encouraged to build up supplies gradually rather than buying everything at once.
- Stay connected – get to know your neighbours, swap contact details and consider who nearby might need some additional help during an emergency or outage.
Ben Brook, Chief Fire Officer at Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service and Warwickshire Resilience Forum Co-Chair said:
“We can’t always predict when an emergency will happen, but there are simple things we can all do to make sure we are better prepared if it does.
“The national Be Ready campaign is a useful reminder to take a few minutes to think about what you and your household might need if you experienced flooding, severe weather, a power cut or another unexpected event.
“Being prepared doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Check what you already have at home, make a simple plan, sign up for the Priority Services Register if eligible, keep up to date with relevant alerts and think about family, friends or neighbours who may need some extra support.
“By taking a few small steps now, we can help make individuals, households and communities across Warwickshire more resilient.”
Residents can find national advice, including the Be Ready checklist and household emergency plan, on the Government’s Be Ready website.
For advice on risks in Warwickshire and how to prepare for an emergency, visit the Warwickshire Resilience Forum website. You can also complete an online Home Fire Safety Check to identify potential fire risks in your home. Alternatively, those who may need additional support can apply for a Safe and Well visit from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.