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Low-data emergency preparedness guide.

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If danger is immediate

Contact local emergency services. Act on a verified evacuation order or immediate hazard warning. Check the issuer and location when seconds allow, but do not delay to collect belongings.

Start now

1. Choose a household contact outside your area.
2. Choose a nearby meeting point and one outside your neighbourhood.
3. Write important numbers and medical needs on paper.
4. Gather a torch, radio, charging cable, power bank and first-aid supplies.
5. Count safe drinking water and plan for babies, illness, heat and pets.

Water

Keep water in clean, food-grade containers in a cool, dark place. Treat local amounts as a starting point and add a margin for heat, illness, work and pets. Boiling does not remove fuel, toxic chemicals or radioactive contamination. Obey a verified do-not-drink or do-not-use notice.

Power and information

• Charge devices early and conserve power.
• Find the original alert. Check its issuer, date, location and whether it is an order, warning or recommendation.
• Keep a battery or wind-up radio.
• Never use generators, barbecues or fuel-burning heaters indoors.

Earthquake and aftershocks

• During shaking, Drop, Cover and Hold On. Move only a few steps to nearby protection and do not run outside.
• If you use a wheelchair or walker, lock the wheels, cover your head and neck and hold your position.
• After shaking, put on sturdy shoes and check injuries, fire, gas, fallen electricity lines, leaking water and structural movement.
• If you smell gas or hear hissing, leave. Do not use flames, switches or appliances. Call the responsible utility or emergency service from safety.
• Repeat Drop, Cover and Hold On during every aftershock. Do not re-enter a damaged building.
• After strong or long coastal shaking, follow local natural-warning guidance and move inland or uphill immediately.
• Avoid damaged roads, bridges, tunnels, steep slopes and fallen electricity lines.

Open the full earthquake preparedness and aftershock guide.

People and access

Plan for mobility, communication, medicine, powered equipment, sensory needs, care, language, pets and accessible transport. Ask people what support they want; do not assume.

Mind and morale

• Use a short reset: check immediate danger, name the next three actions and contact someone.
• Protect food, water, medicine, sleep and rest because exhausted people make more mistakes.
• Keep a small comfort ritual, such as tea and boiled sweets, coffee and candy, music, cards or a familiar cultural item.
• Offer practical help and calm company without forcing someone to talk or appear positive.
• Seek urgent professional help if someone cannot stay safe or may harm themselves or another person.

Source rule

Official information is evidence, not a guarantee of truth, impartiality or timely help. Cross-check general guidance and keep a fallback. Treat verified lawful orders, immediate hazard warnings and qualified medical instructions as time-critical unless they would create an obvious and immediate danger.

Read how Prepare Now evaluates sources.

Updated 26 July 2026 · PrepareNow.org