Practical guides

Record possessions, replacement values and policy details before a claim, with useful photographs, secure backups and no coverage assumptions.

Cool burns promptly, know when emergency care is needed, and prepare for kitchen, child, chemical and electrical injuries safely.

Find a suitable emergency volunteering role, ask about training and safeguarding, and understand why coordinated help matters during disruption.

Know when to leave, which UK gas or electricity emergency number to call, and why isolation is not a DIY repair or a reason to delay.

Recognise heat illness, start cooling, understand the 30-minute limit and call 999 immediately for heatstroke warning signs.

Assess the risks around your home, identify vulnerable routines and choose practical actions using local evidence and a simple household worksheet.

Run a short household emergency exercise with a realistic scenario, safe checks and a useful debrief, without switching off essential services.

Make a building-specific fire plan, check doors and exits, arrange help and practise safely without assuming every flat should evacuate.

Plan repeat prescriptions, pharmacy contacts, storage and urgent supply routes across the UK without stockpiling or changing treatment.

Plan a garden water butt, safe overflow and upkeep. Keep rainwater separate from drinking water and use qualified help for plumbed systems.

Recognise possible hypothermia at home or outdoors, call for help, provide shelter and avoid dangerous improvised warming.

Prioritise people when leaving danger, decide which security tasks are safe, and keep verified contacts and evidence for recovery.