Be prepared: small steps that work for your family
You may have seen advice about keeping three days’ worth of supplies at home in case of an emergency. For many of our families, being prepared takes more thought than adding a few extra tins to the weekly shop.
It’s something I’ve been thinking about this week. What would help if the power went out, the water stopped working, or we couldn’t use our phones?
Below are a few practical ideas. They won’t all be right for everyone, and preparing can be harder when money, storage space or energy is limited. You don’t need to do everything at once. Even writing down a few important numbers can be a useful first step.
Every family is different, so please share anything that works for yours.
Where can I keep important information?
Keep a written list of useful information somewhere easy to find, such as inside a cupboard door or in a notebook. You can use it if your phone or internet connection isn’t working. Let the people you trust know where it is.
Include important phone numbers and addresses, such as your general practitioner (GP), hospital doctor or specialist, and any carers who support your family.
If your family receives social care support, you may also want to include:
- Children’s social care: 01452 426 565
- Children's social care out-of-hours support: 01452 614 758
- Adult social care: 01452 426 868
- Adult social care out-of-hours support: 01452 614 194
Also keep these health and emergency numbers:
- Emergency services (ambulance, fire and police): 999
- National Health Service (NHS) urgent help: 111
Don’t forget friends and family. I certainly don’t know all the numbers stored in my phone!
Keeping your mobile charged may help. You could also ask your phone provider how you would stay connected during a power cut, particularly if you rely on your phone to get support.
How can we stay in touch?
A check-in chain could help everyone stay in touch without needing to make lots of separate calls. Who would you contact, and who would they contact next?
Sometimes a text may be easier than a call. It’s also worth agreeing what you would do if someone didn’t respond or needed help.
These conversations can feel easier when there isn’t an emergency to deal with.
What should I ask my energy and water suppliers?
Ask your energy and water suppliers about their Priority Services Registers. These are lists of customers who may need extra support. Ask what support they offer and whether your family can get it.
This is especially important if someone at home needs electricity for essential medical equipment. Ask your supplier and healthcare team what plans you need if the power goes out.
For some families, water is important for more than drinking and washing. It may help children regulate and also helps families manage extra laundry that can come with additional needs. Tell your supplier about your family’s needs and ask what support may be available.
Keep your suppliers’ contact details with your other important numbers:
- Severn Trent water emergencies: 0800 783 4444
- Power-cut reporting: 105
- Gas emergency service: 0800 111 999
How can I plan food and drinks for my family?
When thinking about food and water, start with what your child or young person actually eats and drinks, rather than a general shopping list.
If you can, gradually putting aside a few familiar, suitable items may be more manageable than buying everything at once.
Planning may need extra thought if your child eats a limited range of foods, has blended meals or uses a feeding tube into their stomach. Ask your usual healthcare or feeding team what your family would need if water, power or deliveries were interrupted.
Any plan needs to work for your family.
What about medicines and essential supplies?
A written list of medicines, doses and timings could be useful. Include any storage requirements, such as refrigeration.
You could speak to your pharmacist or healthcare team about managing prescriptions and what to do if an emergency affects access to medicines or their storage.
It may also help to check supplies of items such as syringes, feeding equipment and continence products, and to know who to contact if you are running low.
If your child or young person has complex health needs, keep their existing care or emergency plan with this information. You could also write down how they show or tell you that they feel unwell or distressed. This may help someone who doesn’t know them well.
How can I plan for mobility needs?
If your child or young person uses an electric wheelchair, keeping the battery topped up may already be part of your routine.
Ask your wheelchair service or equipment provider what to do if you cannot charge it. Discuss what backup options could work for your family.
Would a little cash help?
If card payments aren’t available, having a small amount of cash may be helpful. Some coins and smaller notes could make purchases easier.
This won’t be possible for everyone, so please don’t feel under pressure to put money aside that you need for everyday essentials.
What else might help?
Depending on what works for your household, you could:
- Keep a battery-powered torch somewhere easy to find.
- Check that you have suitable spare batteries.
- Add a few extra familiar food items to your shopping when you can.
- Keep a favourite game, book or activity somewhere accessible.
I dread the thought of the internet going out! That said, I’m always amazed at how much my children enjoy a game of Uno. That reverse card never seems to lose its appeal.
Where can I start?
This isn’t about causing worry or suggesting that an emergency is about to happen. It’s about thinking ahead, at your own pace, so you have a plan that meets your family’s needs.
Those of us who have lived in Gloucestershire for a while may remember the floods of 2007 and the disruption of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Experiences like these remind us how much practical support and connection can matter.
You can read Carers UK advice on getting help in an emergency and Citizens Advice guidance on extra support from your energy supplier.
As a final thought, revisit your plan every couple of months, or whenever your circumstances change, to make sure it is still useful and up to date.
You don’t have to prepare for everything. Start with what matters most to your family and take it one step at a time.
Connecting with other Parent Carers can be a helpful way to share ideas and experiences—find out more about Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum.