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Ready individuals

If an emergency happens in your community, it may take the emergency services some time to reach you. This is because they may need to help other, more vulnerable, people first. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for up to 72 hours. By looking after yourself and your household, you will also be helping emergency services focus their limited resources on the people who are most in need.

If the emergency is happening now

If your life or property is in immediate danger contact 999 and speak to the appropriate emergency service. The emergency services will contact the council if they need our support. Follow the instructions of emergency responders. Do not take risks.

How you can plan for an emergency

It is helpful to think carefully and plan what you would do in an emergency before it happens:

Suggested alerts and services to sign up to:

If you are vulnerable or elderly

The Priority Services Register can provide extra help and information for more vulnerable people when there is an interruption in supply to utilities. You can check eligibility and sign up for the Priority Services Register on their website.

View the Age Scotland booklet on building resilience (PDF 1.1MB). The booklet was funded by the council as part of our community resilience initiative, to help residents feel better equipped to deal with emergency situations.

Emergency kit

An emergency kit is one of the best ways to deal with the unexpected either at home or when travelling. This will help prepare you for a wide range of emergency situations, and minimise the stress or expense that unexpected events can bring.

If you can’t afford food or equipment for your emergency kit you might be able to apply for crisis grants. 

Severe weather

Severe weather can disrupt our lives in all sorts of ways. By knowing what to do you can help to keep yourself, your family and your neighbours safe and well. Find out what to do during severe weather events including how to report issues and where to check for updates on council services.

At home

It may be necessary in some emergencies to switch off utilities. It is helpful to know where these are located in advance and how to switch them off.

Find out how to respond to an emergency at home.

When travelling

An emergency can happen whilst travelling at any time of the year but is more likely in the winter. With some preparation before you travel you can mitigate the impacts of an emergency.

This will help you keep moving:

  • Plan your journey especially when travelling long distances or in areas that you are not familiar with
  • Take into account any alternative routes you could take if there are road closures

If there is a road closure, with no obvious route to your destination that you can travel safely, you should be prepared to return to where you have just travelled from.

Check traffic information before travelling:

At all times of the year you should consider taking:

  • A fully charged phone, with a means of recharging it
  • Some cash
  • Food and water

Depending on the season, there might be additional items you should take:

Find out more about how to prepare for travel disruptions.