Be prepared

Be more resilient in 30 simple ways in 30 days

The following are suggestions that will help you be more resilient in 30 simple ways in 30 days:

  • Day 1 - Have a rechargable, wind up or battery (with spare batteries) torch to hand
  • Day 2 - Favourite the Scottish Power Energy Networks website and have the 105 number written down or in your phone to report any power cuts
  • Day 3 - Gather together a small first aid kit and keep to hand
  • Day 4 - Check where your stop cock is and make sure you can switch your water on and off
  • Day 5 - Have a store of three days food you can eat in a power cut (ie tins you can heat the contents of on a gas stove)
  • Day 6 - Have you got a gas stove or means of heating water and food in a power outage?
  • Day 7 - Keep spare keys for the house and car in a easily accessed place to grab in an emergency
  • Day 8 - Keep three days supply of drinking water in containers or have bottled water
  • Day 9  - Make a note of emergency contact numbers for utility companies and healthcare
  • Day 10 - Chat to your neighbours and arrange to check on each other in an emergency or power cut
  • Day 11 - Having additional blankets or duvets to hand can help keep you warm sitting or in bed
  • Day 12 - Check you know where your fuse box is
  • Day 13 - Ensure you have three days of prescription medicine and rotate this regularly
  • Day 14 - Hot water bottles are a good way of staying warm. Check them regularly as they can perish
  • Day 15 - A small power bank, charged regularly, can help power your mobile phone in a power cut
  • Day 16 - Check if you are eligible and sign up to the Priority Services Register
  • Day 17 - Have gloves, hats and warm layers at the ready. Take them in your car on winter journeys
  • Day 18 - Make sure your car is filled with fuel. Pumps won't work in a power cut
  • Day 19 - Think about what any pets might need in an emergency and/or if you need to leave your home
  • Day 20 - Put the Met Office app on your phone or sign up for weather warnings so you can prepare
  • Day 21 - Have copies of important documents (insurance, passports, driving licence) handy in case you need to leave your home quickly
  • Day 22 - If you live in an area likely to flood, sign up to get SEPA flood alerts so you can prepare
  • Day 23 - If you have gas, do you know where your gas shut off switch is?
  • Day 24 - Have important numbers for family, friends, doctors, school/nursery etc written down in case your phone loses charge
  • Day 25 - Shops will not be able to take electronic payment in a power cut, so have some cash available, including some change
  • Day 26 - Put a winter emergency kit in your car (warm clothes, shovel, food, water)
  • Day 27 - If you wear glasses or contact lenses, know where your spare ones are or include in your emergency kit
  • Day 28 - Find out if there is a Resilient Community group in your area and if they can help you or you can help them
  • Day 29 - Tell other people in your household where your emergency kit is located
  • Day 30 - Complete a household emergency plan