Make a household plan

Supplies help you cope at home. A plan helps you find each other and know what to do if you are apart when something happens. It only takes one conversation and a sheet of paper.

Talk it through

Sit down with everyone you live with and agree the basics. Include children in a way that suits their age: knowing there is a plan helps them feel safe.

Where will you meet?

Agree two meeting places:

• Near home, such as a neighbour's front door or the end of the street, in case you have to leave the house suddenly.
• Further away, such as a friend's or relative's home, in case you can't get back to your area.

How will you stay in touch?

Mobile networks can get busy or go down. Agree:

• one person outside your area who everyone will contact to pass on messages
• that you will send a text rather than call, because texts often get through when calls don't
• what you will do if you can't reach each other, such as going to the meeting place

Write the numbers down

Phones run out of battery, so write important numbers on paper and keep a copy in your kit and in each person's bag. Include:

• family members and your out-of-area contact
• your GP surgery, school and nursery, and workplaces
• 105 for power cuts
• your water company's emergency line
• your gas emergency number, 0800 111 999
• your home and car insurers

Set up ICE and Medical ID

Add an "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) contact to your phone. Most phones also let you add emergency information, such as allergies, medical conditions and emergency contacts, that can be seen from the lock screen without your passcode. On iPhone this is Medical ID in the Health app. On Android it is usually Emergency information in Settings.

Schools and childcare

Find out what your children's school or nursery will do in an emergency and how they will contact you. Make sure they have up-to-date numbers and know who else is allowed to collect your children.

People who need extra help

If anyone in your home relies on medical equipment, has a disability, or needs regular medicine, include them in the plan: spare medicine, equipment instructions, and who can help. Check whether you can join the Priority Services Register.

Documents

Keep printed copies of important documents, such as IDs, insurance policies and prescriptions, in a waterproof wallet with your kit.

Practise and update

Go over the plan once a year, and whenever something changes, such as a new job, school or phone number.