Personal Preparedness

What is this and why it matters

Personal preparedness means taking simple steps in advance so that individuals and households are better able to cope during disruption. It does not replace community emergency planning or emergency services, but it helps reduce pressure on others and makes communities more resilient overall.

What you can do

Know your local risks

• Check which risks are most relevant to your area, such as flooding, heatwaves, storms or power cuts

• Sign up for relevant alerts where available

• Learn where to find official information during an emergency

Prepare basic supplies

• Keep a small emergency grab bag

• Store essential medication and important documents safely

• Keep torches, batteries, a phone power bank and a battery-powered or wind-up radio

• Store some bottled water and non-perishable food where possible

Plan how to stay connected

• Keep key phone numbers written down

• Agree how to contact family, neighbours or carers if normal communication is disrupted

• Know where local meeting points or safe places are

Support others (when safe)

• Get to know neighbours who may need extra help

• Check in on vulnerable people during extreme weather or service disruption

• Share verified information, not rumours

How this supports community resilience

Individual preparedness helps communities respond more effectively because fewer people are left without basic information, supplies or support. When households are better prepared, community groups can focus more quickly on those with urgent or complex needs.