In a serious incident you might be told to stay inside, or told to leave. Knowing which, and having a bag ready, saves precious minutes.
Emergency Alerts on your phone
The UK government's Emergency Alerts system warns of life-threatening emergencies such as severe flooding, extreme storms or wildfires (GOV.UK).
- Your phone may sound a loud siren for about 10 seconds, even on silent, vibrate and read the alert out.
- Alerts go to phones in the affected area, based on where you are now, not where you live. You don't need to sign up or download an app, and the government doesn't need your number.
- When you get one, stop what you're doing and follow the instructions in the alert.
- Driving? Don't read it at the wheel. Stop somewhere safe and legal first, or listen to live radio news.
- Alerts work on iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later and Android 11 or later. You won't get them if the phone is off, on 2G or 3G, or Wi-Fi only (how alerts work).
- The service never emails you or asks for personal details. Treat any such message as a scam.
Keep an FM radio as backup for when phones are flat or the network is down (radios and warnings).
Go in, stay in, tune in
For many incidents the official advice is to go inside, stay inside and tune in to local radio, TV or official websites. Unless there is an obvious risk to the building, going in and finding out more is often the safest choice. Never stay in or go back into a building that is on fire (Be Ready).
While you wait:
- Close windows and doors if you're told to (for example for smoke or a chemical leak).
- Keep phones charged from a power bank.
- Check on neighbours if it is safe to, especially anyone older or living alone.
If you're told to evacuate
Don't delay. Be Ready says delaying or refusing to evacuate can put your life at risk, and puts responders at risk if they have to come back for you.
- Take your grab bag, medicines and phone with charger (grab bag checklist).
- Take pets in carriers or on leads, with food (prepping with pets).
- If there's time and it is safe, turn off gas, electricity and water only if the authorities tell you to, and lock up.
- Follow the route you are given. Don't take shortcuts through flood water (flooding).
- Tell your out-of-area contact where you are going.
Don't go towards an incident to look or help unless asked: it puts you in danger and gets in the way of the emergency services.
Get ready before you need it
- Agree two meeting places, one near home and one further away, and put them on your emergency plan and wallet card.
- Keep copies of key documents and some cash together (documents and cash).
- Know where the stopcock, fuse box and gas meter are.
- Pack a 72-hour kit that someone can lift and carry.
Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.