Accessible emergency planning for real UK households

Build a support network

• Choose more than one trusted person because a usual carer or neighbour may be unavailable.
• Agree who has a spare key and how consent and privacy will be protected.
• Keep current contacts for GP, pharmacy, clinical team, care provider and equipment supplier.
• Write a short communication and assistance card in the person’s own words where possible.

Priority services and equipment

Eligible people can join energy and water Priority Services Registers in Great Britain. Northern Ireland uses Customer Care Registers. Suppliers and network operators may keep separate registers. Support can include accessible communication and priority help, but registration does not guarantee uninterrupted service.

• Ask how powered wheelchairs, stairlifts, oxygen, refrigeration, telecare and internet-based landlines behave during an outage.
• Keep paper instructions and charged backup batteries supplied or recommended for essential equipment.
• Plan what happens if water, home care, pharmacy delivery or transport is interrupted.

Accessible emergency contact

• 999 and 112 are the UK emergency numbers.
• EmergencySMS must be registered before it is needed.
• 999 BSL provides emergency access for Deaf BSL users through its app or website.
• Emergency Alerts use sound and vibration, but no single alert channel should be the only plan.

Children, pets and assistance animals

Use age-appropriate practice, current school contacts and a familiar comfort item. Include animal identification, carrier or harness, food, water, medicine, records and a trusted alternative handler.