Family emergency plan

Creating a family emergency plan is a proactive measure in reducing the likelihood and impacts of an emergency.

By preparing plans prior to an emergency occurring, a families' response should be more organised and carried out in a calmer manner.

Schools

If your children are at school, although naturally you will want to collect them, please tune in to your local radio station for advice and details of the arrangements your local council has made for letting parents know when to collect their children.

If you are involved in an emergency or an emergency occurs, it is important to:

• Call 999 if people have been injured or there is a threat to life  
• Follow the instructions given to you by the emergency services
• If you are not directly involved in the emergency keep yourself and others away from the danger
• Try to remain calm

If you are not involved in the incident, but believe you maybe in danger go in, stay in and tune in:

• Go inside a safe building
• Stay inside until you are advised to do otherwise
• Tune in to local radio or TV for more information, the designated radio station for public safety advice in South Tyneside is Radio Newcastle 95.4 FM

Prior arrangements have been made with radio and TV companies that if there is a major emergency they will interrupt programming to give public safety advice.

Prior to an emergency, you should take time to:

• Find out where and how to turn off the water, gas and electricity supplies in your home
• Find out the emergency procedures for your children at school
• Find out the emergency procedures at your workplace
• Establish how your family will stay in contact in the event of an emergency
• Assess any elderly or vulnerable neighbours that might need your help
• Learn how to tune in to your local radio
• Ensure that you have property and contents insurance

The government's Prepare website provides lots more helpful guidance, see GOV.UK: Prepare.

In case of an emergency, check you have the following:

• Useful phone numbers
• Toiletries
• Details of prescribed medications for the family
• Radio (battery powered)
• Torch (battery powered)
• Spare batteries
• First aid kit
• Mobile phone charger

Some emergencies may require residents to leave their properties and stay in temporary accommodation.

South Tyneside Council have a number of designated rest centre buildings, including leisure centres, community centres and schools.

On arrival at the rest centre, individuals will be asked to register (providing name, contact details, any special needs or dietary requirements).

Consideration should be given to an alternative arrangement other than a rest centre, for instance staying with a relative or friends.

In the event of an emergency that means you to leave your home, leave as quickly and as calmly as possible.

If you have time:

• A responsible adult should turn off electricity, gas and water supplies, unplug appliances and lock all doors and windows
• You might want to consider taking some of the items in your emergency pack with you to the rest centre

An emergency can occur at any time with very little warning, by having an emergency family pack in an easily accessible and safe place it can save time and concern when an emergency occurs.

The pack should include the following:

• A list of useful phone numbers, such as your doctors and close relatives
• Home and car keys
• Toiletries, sanitary supplies and any regularly prescribed medication
• A battery radio, with spare batteries
• A torch with spare batteries, candles and matches
• A first aid kit
• Cash and credit cards
• Spare clothes and blankets

Remember to store your pack in an easily accessible and safe place!

Possible hazards:

• Fire
• Severe weather
• Damage of buildings
• Utilities failure (gas, electric, water)
• Chemical spill

These hazards could result in one or more of the following impacts:

• Loss of power
• Loss of water
• Loss of sanitation
• Loss of telephones
• Short term evacuation
• Injury or death

It could be useful to keep a list of useful contact details and store them in a safe place, but remember to keep them up-to date!

You might want to include:

• Family contacts
• Emergency services: 999
• Police
• Hospital
• Coastguard
• Fire Brigade
• Ambulance
• NHS Direct
• Local doctors surgery
• Environment Agency floodline
• Telephone provider
• Gas
• Electricity
• Water company
• Bank / finance
• South Tyneside Council
• Insurance provider home
• Insurance provider car
• Children's school
• Local Radio Station: Radio Newcastle (frequency 95.4)

Key contacts list to download and complete.