Living in the UK it's fair to say we get our share of weather but how many of us actually prepare for the effects of bad weather? π€ Each year I hear more and more horror stories about the effects of the weather, everything from severe flooding to tornadoes blowing the roofs off buildings πͺ
As many of you know I live in Scotland in a rural village. Our tiny village often gets hit with some pretty bad weather which can cause us to be cut off from our everyday lives. Like many other rural areas in the UK we have experienced power cuts, snow storms, had severe flooding and entire woodlands blown to the ground!
When things like this happen it can be really worrying especially if you haven't experienced it before and are unprepared! It's always good to be prepared and have emergency kits on hand, just in case the worst happens.
- Household Emergency Kit - After getting snowed in one year I always have an emergency kit ready "just in case". My kit consists of a torch, candles, matches/lighter, a small camping stove and gas, a radio (old school I know but if the power goes so does the wifi), all kinds of batteries including a power bank to charge my phone, a first aid kit, tins of food, pet food and bottled water.
- Car Emergency Kit - I would recommend a separate emergency kit for the car. Adding things like blankets, a first aid kit, torch, batteries including a power bank, water bottles and long life snacks such as cereal bars. In my car during winter I also carry a snow shovel (in Scotland you can never be too prepared π) a tow rope and I always have jump leads too - I learned that one the hard way!
- Sand Bags - If you live in an area prone to flooding then it might be worth having some sand bags to help provide a bit of a barrier.
In the event of a flood remember that flood water could cause damage to your water and gas pipes or even the electrical wiring in your home. You should turn off the supply into your home to prevent dangerous gas leaks, any further water damage, and risk of harm from live wires. If you're ever unsure of how to do this safely then you should contact your energy supplier. It's also really important that you never ever attempt to touch an electrical switch if you are standing in water.
Here are some useful numbers you can call in the event of an emergency:
- Power cuts: 105
- Gas Leaks: 0800 111 999
- Emergency Services: 999
- Non Emergency Police: 101
- NHS Out of Hours - This is called NHS 111 in England & Wales or NHS 24 in Scotland: 111
- You should also keep an eye out for information from your local council or radio stations too for updates
You can also check out the E.ON Next blog for more Essential tips on preparing for stormy weather
Last edited by EmmaN; 02-01-24 at 12:21.
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