Communications

During an emergency we will do our best to communicate with you to let you know what is happening. The responding organisations will work together to ensure that the same message will be communicated to you. We will communicate with you in various ways but the best way is for you to listen to your local radio station.

If there is a major emergency, radio stations and TV companies will interrupt programming to give public safety advice and information about the situation.

You should tune into: BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on 94.8, 104 and 103.7 FM

Self help

During an emergency the emergency services and other responding organisations such as Warwick District Council and the County Council will do their best to help you. But you can make an emergency situation less stressful for yourself by taking some simple practical preparations now, before an emergency occurs.

• Plan in advance
• Be ready to look after yourself for up to three days without leaving your home
• Be ready to leave your home if you are told to do so for your own safety or if you choose to leave your home to stay with friends, family, or at alternative accommodation.

If you are involved in any emergency it is important to:

• Call 999 if people are injured or if there is a threat to life

If you are not in imminent danger:

• Do not put yourself or others in danger
• Follow the advice of the emergency services
• If not told to evacuate then go into your home, shut all doors and windows and tune into your local radio station
• Try to remain calm, think before acting and try to reassure others
• Check for injuries - remember to attend to yourself before attempting to help others

If you are not involved in an accident but are close by or believe you may be in danger, in most cases the advice is: GO IN, STAY IN, TUNE IN

Preparing for emergencies

To prepare for an emergency, you should take time to find out and plan in advance:

• Where and how to turn off water, gas and electricity supplies in your home
• The emergency procedures for your children at school
• The emergency procedures at your workplace
• How your family will stay in contact in the event of an emergency
• If any elderly or vulnerable neighbours might need your help
• How to tune in to your local radio station

During an emergency

Be ready to look after yourself. If you are at home and an emergency happens, try to gather together:

• A list of useful phone numbers, such as your doctor's 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
• Your mobile phone and charger
• Cash and credit cards
• Spare clothes and blankets
• Important documents such as insurance or finances

Also, it is always useful to have:

• Bottled water
• Ready to eat food (e.g. tinned food)
• A bottle/tin opener

In case you have to remain in your home for several days.

In certain very unlikely situations, you may be asked to leave your home by the emergency services or you may choose to leave home yourself. If this happens, leave as quickly and calmly as possible. And, if you have time:

• Turn off electricity, gas and water supplies, unplug appliances and lock all doors and windows
• See the items listed above for a suggestion of what to take with you
• If you leave by car, take bottled water and blankets, and tune in to local radio for emergency advice and instructions
• Make sure you have contacted a friend, relative or neighbour to tell them where you are going and contact them when you have arrived so you can be found if the emergency services or Council need to contact you.

When you are told that it is safe to return home, open windows to provide fresh air before reconnecting gas, electricity and water supplies.