Prepare the household for emergencies and absences

Create separate plans for intrusion, fire, a medical emergency and a regional disruption. The safest action differs. A place suitable for sheltering from an intruder may be unsafe during a fire.

Agree the first actions

For a suspected intrusion, avoid contact, move away or to a professionally assessed safer area if appropriate, and call police when safe. Do not go looking for a family member through a suspected attack area without emergency guidance. Tell dispatch who may still be inside.

For fire or smoke, follow the building's fire plan and emergency instructions. Do not retrieve wallets, valuables or devices. Arrange in advance how children, older relatives and people with disabilities will receive help.

For a serious medical emergency, call the ambulance service and follow dispatcher instructions. Store essential medical information where helpers can access it, and consider appropriate first aid training. Do not make medical care wait for financial approval.

Test the support systems

Ask the alarm provider to arrange a test and explain what happens during loss of power, internet or mobile coverage. Confirm who is contacted, who can attend lawfully and what information is shared. Avoid assuming that an app notification guarantees a response.

Keep ordinary emergency supplies suited to local official guidance: water, food, lighting, power banks, essential medication, basic first aid items, copies of necessary documents and some lawful cash. Rotate supplies. Keep emergency spending separate from reserve recovery material. [S51]

Before a long absence

• Give one trusted person the limited information needed to check the property and contact help.
• Arrange mail and necessary maintenance without broadly announcing dates.
• Review cleaners, guests, contractors and temporary permissions. Confirm who may approve changes while you are away.
• Keep a way to manage essential household payments without signing from unfamiliar devices.
• Ensure someone can care for dependants and pets if return travel is delayed.

When returning

If something appears wrong, do not enter to investigate. Once safe, check for unexplained access changes or alerts, confirm devices are still in your custody and review anything unusual with the appropriate provider.

Keep the plan private: a publicly shared floor plan, camera map, safer area location or backup location can create exposure. Your expert can review those details privately; they do not belong in the general guidebook.

A household passes the basic drill when: each adult can describe the first action for intrusion, fire and medical emergency, and can reach help without relying on your phone.