What to do in an emergency
Emergencies will usually catch us unawares. 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 IN - Go inside a safe building (or stay inside your home)
- STAY IN - Stay inside until you are advised to do otherwise
- TUNE IN - Tune into local radio or TV for more information
This GO IN, STAY IN, TUNE IN advice is recognised and used around the world. There is an agreement with radio and TV companies that if there is a major emergency they will interrupt normal programming to give public safety advice and information about the incident.
If you are at home and an emergency happens try and gather together:
- Home and car keys
- A list of useful phone numbers, such as your doctor’s and close relatives
- Cash and credit/debit cards
- A battery radio, with spare batteries
- A torch with spare batteries, candles and matches
- A First Aid Kit
- Important documents
- Spare clothes and blankets
- Toiletries, sanitary supplies and any regularly prescribed medication
- Your mobile phone and charger
Remember:
- Call 111 if you need medical help fast but it’s not an emergency, you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service or you don’t know who to call
- Only call 999 for an immediate, life-threatening emergency
- Try to remain calm and think before acting – never put yourself or others in danger
- Follow the advice of the emergency services – check for injuries, remember to help yourself before helping others
Get advice on preparing for emergencies from the Mayor of London.
What to do if you are not at home
Schools
If your children are at school you will naturally want to collect them as soon as possible. But it may not be safe to do so. All schools have plans to cope with local emergencies such as fires and flooding, and teachers and support staff do all they can to look after pupils in their charge.
Please TUNE IN to your local radio station for advice and contact the council or school for details of the arrangements being made for children to get picked up.
Work
Employers have a responsibility for the safety and security of their staff. All businesses should have arrangements in place to deal with the impact of a major disaster. Make sure you understand what to do in an emergency at work. Read our business continuity guide.
Specific threats
There are a potential hazards to Lambeth and London as a whole which we need to be aware of:
Influenza
Influenza, or Flu for short, is a common infectious viral illness spread by coughs and sneezes. Flu is especially common in winter and can be very unpleasant, but most people usually begin to feel better within about a week.
In order to reduce the spread of infection the NHS recommends staying at home, getting plenty of rest, keeping warm and drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration. More guidance on flu from the NHS.
Cold weather and snow
The weather in the UK is notoriously unpredictable, and sever cold weather can present many challenges particularly to older people, low income families and people living with a disability.
Winter weather and snow can be great fun, but it can also lead to injury and illness when we don’t take proper care. Take time to check weather reports carefully, dress for cold weather if appropriate and take extra care on the road.
More guidance on cold weather and snow.
Cold weather heath: supporting vulnerable people.
Heat wave
Keeping cool in the summer is very important, especially for older people, young children and those with certain medical conditions and other at risk groups.
The key signs that you are unwell are dehydration and heat exhaustion.
There are some really simple things that you can do to stay healthy during hot weather:
- Drink plenty of water (enough to make you need the bathroom at least 4 times a day)
- Stay in the shade between 11am – 3pm
- Take rest breaks if you’re out and about
- Wear sunscreen above SPF15 and cover up in the sun
Take time to make sure that you, your friends and neighbours are prepared for a heatwave. Check up on those who may be less able to look after themselves and make sure they have enough supplies such as food, water and any medication they need.
More advice on health during heatwaves.
Flooding
Historically, Lambeth has suffered from a range of different types of flooding. While flood defences such as the Thames Barrier protect the north of the borough from fluvial flooding, surface water, groundwater and sewer flood risk remains across the borough, typically in very localised areas. The risk of flooding from all sources is likely to increase in the future as a result of climate change and increasing pressures on development and housing need.
Get advice on preparing yourself for flooding in Lambeth.
The council’s Flood Risk team have produced information on the different types and associated risks of flooding in Lambeth. Additionally, the Construction Industry and Research Information Association (CIRIA) provide detailed guidance on identifying if your home is at risk from flooding and the steps you can take to improve resilience. Finally, a number of assessments of flood risk in the borough, and what the council is doing to mitigate that risk can be found here. Please note the Council cannot supply individuals with sandbags.
Sign up to flood warnings.
UKHSA - UK Health Security Agency advice on what do do before, during and after a flood.