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Preparing for Emergencies


Emergencies occur every day in one form or another. We hear about them on the radio or see them unfolding on the TV. We may try and imagine what we would do if it happened to us or in our local community. Minor emergencies, such as losing the house or car keys can be overcome by keeping a spare set to hand. There are other simple measures that can be taken to prepare for more serious or prolonged emergencies:


Be Prepared – In the home

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If you would like to be prepared for any type of emergency in advance it may be useful to consider keeping a supply of the following:

  • Torch & spare batteries
  • Blankets/Sleeping bag
  • Camping stove
  • Bottled water
  • Candles/hurricane lamp
  • Long-life food
  • Personal medication
  • First aid kit
  • Battery powered radio & spare batteries
  • Tin opener
  • Matches

If you have very young children or pets, a stock of food for them and anything else you can think of that you might need.

It would also be useful to make a list of important contact numbers, such as your doctor’s, home insurance and utilities’.

You may be asked to turn off electricity, gas and water supplies so if you don’t know where they are and how to turn them of, it would be helpful to find out.


Be Prepared – In the car

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Travelling on the Island you are never very far from a village or town. If you travel further afield or in bad weather conditions, it is a good idea to keep an emergency supply kit in your car in case you breakdown or get stuck.


All year round:

  • Bottled water
  • First Aid kit
  • Torch & batteries
  • Cigar plug lead for mobile phone
  • Long life snacks

Winter months:

  • Blanket/s
  • Waterproof coat & warm hat
  • Wellington/waterproof boots
  • Spare thick socks

Government Advice

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The Government has produced a booklet ‘Preparing for Emergencies’ which was distributed to every household in the UK in the summer of 2004. This booklet tells you how you can help yourself and your family in emergencies.

The Preparing for Emergencies website accompanies the booklet and provides online advice covering:

  • Guidance on how to prepare for a variety of emergencies that could occur
  • What to do in the event of an emergency
  • What the government is doing to protect the country

Emergency Contact Details

The following numbers will help you fill in the emergency contact details on page 20 of the Government booklet:

Local Police Station
0845 045 45 45
(Central switchboard for calls to all Island Police Stations)
Local Authority
(01983) 821000
(Isle of Wight Council’s Call Centre)
Doctor
School
Local Radio Station
and frequency


See also Emergency Information & Contacts page for other numbers




Coping with Emergencies



Go in – Stay in – Tune in


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The GO IN, STAY IN, TUNE IN advice, included in the Government booklet is the best general advice for people caught up in most emergencies. If you are not involved in the incident, but believe you may be affected, in most cases, the best thing to do is to go inside, stay inside and tune in to local radio or TV.

Listen out for Help Line phone numbers and write them down.

  • Isle of Wight Radio 107 MHz FM (102 for Ventnor area)
  • BBC Radio Solent 96.1 MHz FM
  • Ocean Sound 97.5 MHz FM
  • Wave 105 105.2 MHz FM
  • Power FM 103.2 MHz FM
You may be asked to keep doors and windows closed i.e. in the event of a toxic/chemical cloud.


Evacuation

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In certain very unlikely situations the Emergency Services may ask you to leave your home. There are a number of reasons why this might happen, for example, flooding, a suspect package or a gas leak.

You may be away for just an hour or two or you may have to stay in temporary accommodation overnight or longer. If necessary, turn off electricity, gas and water supplies, unplug appliances and lock all doors and windows. See ‘Preparing for Emergencies’ for a list of items you may want to take with you.


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The UK Resilience web site has a wide range of information on a variety of possible emergencies. It provides up to date news and guidance on all topical issues, with links to government departments, agencies, and other bodies who provide help and assistance.
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