Preparedness for when

valk_scot

Possession wrote: »

The evacuation scenario worries me because the children might well be at school and I would not leave them. School is a drive away, not walkable, at least not by me with my knee replacements. There must be plenty of people with mobility issues that couldn't contemplate walking a long distance either.

The school will have a crisis plan in place and if there is some sort of emergency then resources will be deployed to give schools and other vunerable places like hospitals priority. The kids will probably be safer than you tbh but if you, me and 2,000 other parents try to get to the school, find they're already evacuated then run around like headless chickens gridlocking the roads it will make things worse. Our school handbook details what will happen in the case of evacuation for fire or gas leaks and other emergencies and tells us what to do, which is NOT to rush to the school or jam the telephone lines for a start! Or to come rushing in and snatch up our kids without telling anyone. The school has a duty of care to the children in their charge, they will have plans for all sorts of things. So I would suggest that you go in and ask for the emergency plan (which has probably been sent out in one of the 10,000 school handouts tbh) from either the school or local authority and find out what you're supposed to do about it. I know to go to my local community centre to sign out the kids in event of a local evacuation, there's also a designated centre out of town for all the local schools to meet up in if necessary. Emergency notices go out on a text Groupcall, by email and on local radio, also there is a notice board by the main school gate.

The other thing to do of course if they don't have their own fancy mobile is to provide all your kids with a £10 disposable mobile phone with £10 worth of top up on it, and make sure they get charged up every weekend. At least then you'd have a direct line of contact in an emergency, no?

[Deleted User]

WATER PURIFICATION - I've just checked on the Milton Sterilising Fluid site for something I thought I'd heard long ago and it is possible to make water fit for drinking by adding 2.5mls of Milton Sterilising Fluid to 5 litres of water and letting it stand for 15 minutes before drinking. This is the same stuff us oldies used as a bottle sterilising solution when our kiddlers were babies. It's under £2 a bottle and available in most chemists shops. Cheers Lyn.

Valli

mardatha wrote: »

But on the other hand schools would be well protected and looked after by the police and authorities, maybe kids safer being there ??

But

unlikely to have sufficient food in - some primary schools don't even HAVE kitchens; lunches are brought in from other schools

unlikely to have suitable sleeping areas for overnight - there are fewer gym mats than children

unlikely even to have blankets

Kitchenbunny

All this is giving me lots of food for thought. Making sure the car has at least a quarter tank of fuel in it in case we need to move is essential as in a crisis all the fuel stations would be packed if they were still being operated at all. Assuming the crisis is local we'd be able to get to a safer area there might be fuel there but demand would increase on available resources.

If on foot, I'd suggest knowing exactly where your decent walking footwear is - trainers or other good shoes that you feel comfortable in and won't get too many blisters from.

K xx

vanoonoo

mardatha wrote: »

Water - re England I'm not sure, somebody else will have to answer that one. It's one thing we'll never be short of up here My SHTF plan for water is to use the wee burn near us, I live at almost 1000ft and the source of the burn is a wee bit higher up the hill, so we would need to go up there and take the water from as near the source as poss and then use tablets to purify. We've also got a bigger river nearby as well.
I keep some bottles in the house but not many as it takes up a lot of room and some people say it doesn't keep that long unless in glass bottles.

just be careful incase the scenario involves airbourne contamination of some sort, purification tabs alone may not be enough to make it fit to drink - best to have at least a couple of gallons at home too if at all possible (you can keep for 6 months in plastic).

fuddle

I just couldn't walk off and leave my little ones. I'd want to be with them, it's where I would gravitate to even if it wasn't the schools policy to let me. I'd be there, I'd be wanting in and I'd be wanting to be with my girls. No rule is going to stop me from doing that, even if it puts me at risk.

The anxiety is creeping up - it doesn't take much with me does it. Really, really interesting though, and I can't wait for the bug out bag stuff.

I have 4 litres of water, I know it's not enough in the house but how much is an acceptable level without going into panic mode?

Byatt

Smiley, good post about pets, but I know how much you love your pets so you will understand my point of view, no-way in hell would I leave my dog behind. Police powers or not, they'd have to prise my cold, dead fingers off my dog, and somehow, I don't think they'd succeed.

Valk, great post, you also reminded me of my childhood freezing winter moments, frost inside the windows, cold, cold lino...and getting undressed and dressed in bed!

Now the reason I came on here, does anyone have any recommendations for an all singing, all dancing, solar/manual charger for a phone or laptop. I think I have sussed out a good solar radio, but there's so much choice and the cheapest doesn't seem to do the job, but I need a middle of the road not OTT price wise guide please. Mostly to reduce my electric bill, but always useful.

Does anyone else's bath leak water out of the plug when filled?

Byatt

fuddle wrote: »

I just couldn't walk off and leave my little ones. I'd want to be with them, it's where I would gravitate to even if it wasn't the schools policy to let me. I'd be there, I'd be wanting in and I'd be wanting to be with my girls. No rule is going to stop me from doing that, even if it puts me at risk.

The anxiety is creeping up - it doesn't take much with me does it. Really, really interesting though, and I can't wait for the bug out bag stuff.

I have 4 litres of water, I know it's not enough in the house but how much is an acceptable level without going into panic mode?

Try not to let the anxiety get to you, it's normal to feel a flutter when dealing with what if's, just remember, you're in the here and now and that's important too.

I was ready to walk 25 miles in the snow if I couldn't get to my DD (and she's 26) in the car, and know I would feel like that in any emergency, sensible or not. Totally understand not being able to walk off or leave to others...it's natural to want to be with loved ones. If it helps, and doesn't cause over anxiety, have a plan in place which means you have the things available to walk some distance.

rosieben

fuddle wrote: »

I just couldn't walk off and leave my little ones. I'd want to be with them, it's where I would gravitate to even if it wasn't the schools policy to let me. I'd be there, I'd be wanting in and I'd be wanting to be with my girls. No rule is going to stop me from doing that, even if it puts me at risk....

Fuddle, check with the school(s) re their emergency evacuation plans, no point you rushing to the school if the kids have been evacuated to a safe place elsewhere. If the school has an emergency evacuation plan they should also have a plan to let parents know what's happening?

It would be interesting to hear how schools around the country are planning for emergencies and maybe would be reassuring for other mums reading here.

Possession

My DD is 7 so not getting a mobile phone; in any case mobiles are strictly forbidden in our school. I've just checked both my local authority and school websites and there is no advice on what happens other than a statement that schools have been given advice. However there is a list which may be useful so I'll reproduce it here:
Your Home Emergency Pack

It would be useful to keep a supply of items in your home, making sure everyone knows where they are stored. Suggestions include:

• Waterproof clothing.
• Torch, batteries, candles and matches.
• First Aid kit.
• Bottled water.
• Long-life food – cans/dried.
• Blankets/sleeping bags.
• Baby food and pet food if applicable.

What you can do to prepare

Find out:

• How to turn off water, gas and electricity supplies in your home.
• How your family will stay in contact in the event of an emergency.
• If any elderly or vulnerable neighbours might need your help.
• How to tune in to your local radio station.

If you have to Evacuate your home

If you can, have a bag already packed with the following items or have a bag available to pack them:

• A list of useful phone numbers.
• Home and car keys.
• Torch with spare batteries.
• Battery radio with spare batteries.
• First Aid Kit and any medication.
• Mobile phone and charger.
• Cash and credit and debit cards.
• Spare clothes and blankets.
• Special items for family members, babies, elderly etc.

Make sure you have adequate household insurance and that you store important documents such as these and others carefully e.g. in a safe place from fire and flooding.

Go In, Stay In, Tune In

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, Stay In, Tune In.

• GO IN, as the safest place may be indoors, closing all doors and windows.

• STAY IN, until you are advised otherwise by the emergency services or local radio.

• TUNE IN, to your local radio station or television for advice and guidance.

Do Not collect children from school unless you have been informed to do so, they will be properly cared for.

There are always going to be particular occasions when you should not ‘go in’ to a building, for example if there is a fire. Otherwise: Go In, Stay In, Tune In.