Ballymena Borough Council

17 May 2012

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What To Do In An Emergency

In a real life emergency, knowing a few safety tips will help you to stay calm and help yourself and others. Remember not to put yourself in danger and alert the emergency services as soon as possible. School planning will take care of your children's safety in an emergency.

Go in, stay in, tune in

In a major emergency, if you are not involved in the incident, but are close by or believe you may be in danger, the best advice is to go inside a safe building, stay inside until you are advised to do otherwise, and tune in to local radio or TV for information.

Of course, there are always going to be particular occasions when you should not 'go in', for example if there is a fire, or you are advised differently by the emergency services or your own common sense.

If you find yourself in the middle of an emergency, your common sense and instincts will usually tell you what to do. However, it is important to:

make sure 999 has been called if people are injured or if there is a threat to life
not put yourself or others in danger
follow the advice of the emergency services
try to remain calm and think before acting, and try to reassure others
check for injuries - remember to help yourself before attempting to help others

If you are not involved in the incident, but are close by or believe you may be in danger, in most cases the advice is:

go inside a safe building
stay inside until you are advised to do otherwise
tune in to local radio or TV for more information

At home in an emergency

If you are at home and an emergency happens, try to gather together:

a list of useful phone numbers, such as 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
cash and credit cards
spare clothes and blankets
bottled water, ready to eat food (eg tinned food) and a bottle / tin opener, in case you have to remain in your home for several days

Leaving your home in an emergency

In certain very unlikely situations, you may be asked to leave your home by the emergency services. 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
take the items listed above
if you leave by car, take bottles water and blankets
tune in to local radio for emergency advice and instructions

Returning home after an emergency

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

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