Here you can find essential advice and contact details in case of an emergency. You can also find information about the London Borough of Sutton's Emergency Plan.

Avian Flu: If you have found a dead bird and are concerned, please visit DEFRA's website for information and guidance about who to contact.

How to be prepared for an emergency

• 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 attend to yourself before attempting to help others

If you are not involved in an accident but are close by or believe you may be in danger, in most cases the advice is: GO IN, STAY IN, TUNE IN

To prepare for an emergency, you should take time to find out:

• Where and how to turn off water, gas and electricity supplies in your home
• The emergency procedures for your children at school
• The emergency procedures at your workplace
• How your family will stay in contact in the event of an emergency
• If any elderly or vulnerable neighbours might need your help
• How to tune in to your local radio station

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

• A list of useful phone numbers, such as your 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

Being prepared in the car

It is possible that you could be stuck in your car if a major incident occurs. In case this happens, it is worth keeping the following things in your car to keep any inconvenience caused to a minimum.

• bottled water
• a first aid kit
• a torch and spare batteries
• an in-car mobile phone charger
• a blanket and spare warm clothing.

Also, it is always useful to have:

• Bottled water, ready-to-eat food (e.g. tinned food) and a bottle/tin opener, in case you have to remain in your home for several days

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
• See the items listed above for what to take with you
• If you leave by car, take bottled water and blankets, and tune in to local radio for emergency advice and instructions

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

Storms, severe weather and flooding

• secure outdoor items and bring as much as possible indoors, including pets
• close windows, clear window sills, and draw curtains to protect from flying glass
• stay indoors and away from windows
• keep some empty sandbags and sand (or earth) ready for use. At the first sign of trouble, place them around doorways and air-vents
• have a ‘survival plan’ ready in case you need to act quickly. Think about what you would need to do if the water was about to get into your home
• try to make sure your neighbours know about any warnings, especially if they are elderly or vulnerable.

If you are flooded

• if you can, move upstairs
• move any valuable items upstairs and what furniture you can
• if it’s possible put the furniture left on the ground floor up on blocks.

If you have to leave your home

• Switch off the electricity, gas and water

London Prepared