Being Prepared
From Department of Defence; Office of Emergency Planning
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Defence; Office of Emergency Planning
Published on
Last updated on
The most important people to think about in any emergency situation are the people in your immediate family and household. When making your plans and preparations there are certain things that you will need to bear in mind:
To be prepared you should ensure that you have spoken to your family and with your immediate neighbours about what you might do. Include some or all of the following suggestions in your plans to stay safe:
Store important documents safely
In most emergency situations your immediate concern will be your safety. In the event of an evacuation all household items and belongings should be left behind. However, in emergencies where there is no immediate danger, you may have time to look for important documents before leaving your home. So, it's important to ensure that they are all kept in the same place.
It's a good idea to keep the following in a waterproof container or small portable safe in a safe place where it can easily be retrieved:
Radio and TV warnings
In major emergency situations it may be necessary to issue warnings via the national media advising you on the best course of action. Such messages would normally be broadcast on all national radio and TV channels.
Remember you may not have power, so it's important to keep a battery-operated radio and tune into one of the following stations:
It is anticipated that your local radio station will also carry key messages.
Wherever possible information and warnings will also be broadcast on the following TV channels.
Learn about safety in your home
Learn some basic first aid
Knowing the basics of first aid can be very useful in any emergency and can prevent further injury or distress. Basic courses are regularly run by your local St. John's Ambulance, Irish Red Cross, Civil Defence and in many community colleges.
Prepare an emergency kit and keep it handy
The following items may prove invaluable in helping you stay safe and cope with a range of emergency situations:
You should try to make sure the following will be available in the event of an emergency where power, gas and water supplies have been cut:
Read about business continuity planning here.