Emergency planning

What should I do to prepare for emergencies?

There are a number of ways to ensure that you and your family are prepared for emergencies, which can range from incidents that affect the wider community such as flooding, to household incidents such as power loss or a fire.

Stay alert

Media feeds from Bromley Council, The London Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police will keep you updated on any emergency that has occurred and the impacts it could have upon you and your day to day life.

To receive these notifications, follow Twitter at @BromleyCouncil, @LFBBromley and @MPSBromley and or alternatively Bromley Council website for live feeds and updates.

Emergency contact details and important documents

Make a list of all of your important contacts, such as family, friends, neighbours, your children's school, GP, vet, gas, water, electricity supplier and your insurers. Some key emergency contact numbers are listed.

Important documents need to be stored in a safe location.  Documents could include: passport, driving license, medical forms/prescriptions, insurance details, contact list, national insurance card/documentation, etc.

Prepare an emergency pack

It is recommended all households are suitably prepared for the different types of risks that we could face and in doing so should have an 'emergency pack' at hand at home, in the car and at work.

Suggested items that could be in a home emergency pack include:

  • water: ensure you maintain enough bottled water for all your family to last at least 2 days
  • first aid kit
  • torch and extra batteries
  • non-perishable food and manual can opener
  • warm, dry clothing and sturdy shoes
  • radio (battery operated or hand crank)
  • sleeping bag or blankets
  • money
  • mobile phone charger (plug socket or car plug in)
  • prescriptions
  • personal hygiene & sanitation items
  • contact list (key personal contacts, utilities companies, insurance company, etc.)

Items within a car emergency pack could vary depending on the time of the year, but could include items such as:

  • first aid kit
  • bottled water
  • torch with spare batteries
  • in car mobile telephone charger
  • sweets or long life snacks
  • blanket and warm clothing
  • waterproof clothing and wellington boots

At work, we recommend employers have an emergency grab bag when evacuating the premises. Items in this bag can include:

  •  torch with spare batteries
  •  mobile telephone & charger
  •  portable radio and spare batteries
  •  first aid kit- include items such as assorted bandages, cleansing agents and pain relief tablets
  • spare keys to lock the premises if possible
  • small amount of cash or company credit card
  • staff contact list
  • key contact list
  • insurance company details
  • emergency numbers for your suppliers and utility companies

 Create a household emergency plan

Put together a household emergency plan, so you know what to do in an emergency. This plan could include:

  • where the turn offs for gas/electricity/water are located, and who is responsible for turning them off
  • an emergency meeting point
  • who you could stay with if you are evacuated
  • vulnerable neighbours you may want to check on
  • contact information

Remember to review your plan at least every 12 months, to make sure it's up-to-date!