‘I just sat in the dark’
I was reminded of how easy it is to put off the small actions that could make us better prepared for an emergency last week, when my work and family lives intersected.
My mother lives alone, about 90 minutes away – and at 79, she finds modern life confusing sometimes. On Wednesday evening there was a localised power cut.
‘I just sat in the dark. I didn’t have a torch, there was no heating or TV. I used my mobile phone to light my way to bed’.
Instant daughter guilt – why hadn’t I made sure she had an emergency kit? Cue a flurry of activity – registering her for the Priority Service Register so utility companies know she may need assistance; signing her up for texts from the local power company in case it happens again, google searches for torches, wind-up radios and other emergency supplies.
Mum is independent, she has a mobile phone and (broadly) knows how to use it – but with so much online and everything feeling so complicated, she didn’t know where to start. Sitting in the dark made her feel vulnerable. Worrying that it will happen again makes her worry.
Blue Heart’s remit is to mitigate the impact of flooding, but by being prepared for that you are also better prepared – and more confident – to handle a range of incidents. That’s why we want to help increase individuals’ and communities’ resilience more generally.
Is there someone you’d like to help be better prepared and more confident in their ability to cope with emergencies? I thought I’d share the steps I’m taking, so you can too – for yourself or someone you care about.
- Make sure they are on the Priority Service Register if they have young kids, disabilities or are elderly (so they’ll get help first in an emergency).
- Sign up for warnings from the Environment Agency and Met Office about possible flooding and severe weather. You can sign up to receive alerts for their area as well as yours, so you’re aware of any anticipated dangers.
- Research social media accounts/groups that will share updates on local incidents, and sign them up (if the person uses social media).
- Help them draw up on paper a list of key contacts: (phone numbers and websites)
- emergency services
- utilities and insurance companies (with customer/account numbers)
- neighbours and family members
- Also note down:
- How to shut off the water, gas and electricity supplies
- The frequency for the local radio station so they can get updates that way
- A list of priority belongings to move away from danger
(such as putting photograph albums upstairs or on a high shelf away from flood water).
- Have an emergency kit ready and accessible in case they need to stay in their home and wait for help.
e.g. wind-up or battery torch and radio, spare batteries, bottled water, food that doesn’t need heating, warm clothes, medicines, supplies for babies or pets. - Have a ‘go bag’ prepared (or at least a list of things to grab) in case they need to leave their home quickly.
e.g. mobile phone and charger, important documents (like home insurance, passport), a list of key contacts (see above), cash and payment cards, prescription medications, spare glasses/contact lenses, appropriate clothing and toiletries.
For more information, visit the British Red Cross and UK government’s Prepare websites.
For specific information about flooding, go to the Local Flooding page on our website, visit the gov.uk website or call Floodline for advice:
Floodline helpline
Telephone: 0345 988 1188
Textphone: 0345 602 6340
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Find out more about call charges