01 — UK official Prepare guidance

Scope: Cabinet Office / GOV.UK Prepare campaign (live since May 2024). Household actions for Irthington/Carlisle CA6 — 5 adults + small dog.
Last researched: 27 Sep 2026 (Europe/London).
Tone: Official UK sources first; practical, no bunker fantasy.

ESSENTIAL

• Primary hub: Get prepared for emergencies – Prepare — check local risks (flood), read hazard pages (flooding, power cuts, hot/cold weather), sign up for alerts, know utility shut-offs, build supplies gradually.
• Call 999 if anyone is in immediate danger (Prepare).
• Priority Services Register (PSR): Free extra support from gas/electricity/water suppliers during outages. Check eligibility at psr.co.uk; contact each supplier separately (Ofgem search tools / recent bill). England/Scotland/Wales; NI uses Customer Care Registers.
• Paper contact list (power-cut safe): 105 (power cut England/Scotland/Wales), family/ICE numbers, medication list, local/national radio frequencies, insurance policy numbers. Store with passports/birth certificates/insurance docs.
• Downloadable household emergency plan: Use Prepare’s printable plan; keep with important documents for fast evacuation.
• Know shut-offs: Gas, electricity, water — needed if evacuating for flood or leak.
• Smoke alarms: Check at least monthly (Fire Kills / online home fire safety check via Prepare).
• Insurance: Confirm buildings/contents cover relevant hazards (e.g. flood) before an event.
• Medication: Several days’ supply of essential meds; paper instructions for any medical devices; keep backup batteries charged.
• Emergency kit at home (Prepare list):
• Battery or wind-up torch (safer than candles)
• Portable phone power bank
• Battery or wind-up radio (+ spare batteries)
• First aid kit (waterproof plasters, bandages, thermometer, antiseptic, eyewash, sterile dressings, gloves, medical tape, tweezers)
• Hand sanitiser and wet wipes (when water is off)
• Bottled water (see Ch. 08)
• Non-perishable food that needs no cooking + tin opener; pet food
• Grab bag concept: Spare bag for essentials if asked to leave quickly — but if escaping fire, take nothing (Prepare).

Water quantities (official Prepare / WHO framing)

No single “days of stock” mandate — Prepare says duration varies; build gradually, don’t panic-buy.

USEFUL

• Escape routes / flood plan discussed with household; meeting point if you cannot return home (e.g. community hub).
• ICE / Medical ID on phones (consider sensitivity; tell the named contact).
• Neighbour contact swap / street messaging group; check on vulnerable neighbours in outages.
• Car boot winter/stuck kit: torch, in-car charger, warm clothes/blankets, hi-vis, jump leads, food/drink, snow shovel, first aid (Prepare).
• Workplace/volunteer emergency contact plan if you cannot reach them in a power cut.
• Children: Staywise resources; practise address and parent mobile; confirm school has correct contacts.

Cumbria / CA6 notes

• Local flood risk: Environment Agency Check for flooding — postcode CA6 river levels include River Irthing at Greenholme, Eden at Linstock/Sheepmount/Sands Centre (see Ch. 02).
• Power distribution: Electricity North West (ENWL) — call 105 (see Ch. 03).
• Water: United Utilities — 0345 672 3723 (see Ch. 04).
• Local authority (Irthington area): Cumberland Council severe weather / winter-ready pages (see Ch. 05).
• Radio for power cuts: BBC Radio Cumbria ~95.6 FM North/East/West (see Ch. 07).

Source URLs

Not invented: No personal FILL facts (addresses, meter locations, policy numbers) — household must fill those into their own plan.

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