4 Maidstone Borough Council
What you should do in an emergency
No matter how careful you are, there are some things you can’t control. Any one of them could hit you and your family, damage your home, or harm your business, but it isn’t hard to make sure that you’re properly prepared for an emergency. Thinking about what you’d need to do in an emergency will mean that you’re ready should they ever happen.
You can find lots of information in the “What Should I Do in an Emergency?” handbook on our website – search “Emergency Planning” at
www.maidstone.gov.uk
In case of bad weather, you can find updates on our services at
www.maidstone.gov.uk/winter
Winter Weather
You are allowed to clear snow and ice from your driveway and pavements outside your house – despite rumours to the contrary, there are no health and safety regulations that stop this! The best way to do this is to use rock salt, which will melt the ice or snow and stop it from refreezing. You can also use sand if you don’t have enough salt – this will provide grip underfoot.
If any local salt bins for roads and footpaths near your home need refilling, please let KCC Highways know on 03000 418181.
If you have elderly or vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours, please check on them during periods of very cold weather, if you can. Cold weather is especially dangerous to older people or those with serious illnesses.
Driving in snow and ice: Only make your journey if it is essential
Make sure all snow and ice is cleared from your windows; lights and mirrors are clean; and the number plates are visible and legible
Keep well back from the car in front – stopping distances can be ten times greater than on dry roads
On icy roads, drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible; accelerate and brake very gently
Drive particularly slowly on bends and avoid sudden actions.
Always take de-icer and an ice scraper with you, as well as a torch, warm clothing, first aid kit, jump leads and a shovel, plus a warm drink and emergency food in case you get stuck or your vehicle breaks down.
Power Cuts
If electricity is crucial for any medical equipment, contact UK Power Networks on 0800 169 9970 to join their Priority Register so that you receive extra support during a power cut. This is also available for those with disabilities, elderly residents or those with young babies in the household.
During a power cut, to receive updates via text message, text POWER and your postcode to 80876. You will not be charged to receive messages. You will need to register for this service each time there’s a power cut.
For advice about what to do during a power cut visit
www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/powercut
Flooding
One in six UK properties is at risk from flooding, but there are things you can do to help protect yourself and your property.
Be prepared
Find out if you’re at risk from river flooding, and sign up for alerts, by visiting
www.environment-agency.gov.uk or calling the Agency’s Floodline on 0345 9881188.
Prepare a household flood plan so that you know how to protect pets, cars, furniture and electrical equipment – you can download a template at
www.gov.uk/prepare-for-a-flood
If you’re at risk, buy flood protection equipment in advance. Find out what options are available at
www.floodforum.org.uk.
If flooding happens Call Floodline for updates.
If it’s safe to do so, turn off the gas, electricity and water before water enters your home.
Move your family and pets to a higher position with a means of escape.
Don’t touch sources of electricity when standing in water.
If there’s raw sewage in your property, keep out. See if you can stay elsewhere until it’s been properly cleaned.
Never drive through flood water — even if you think it looks safe. Just one foot (30cm) of flowing water can move a family car, and according to the AA, 32% of flood-related deaths are by drowning in a vehicle.
Avoid walking in flood water. Fast moving water is dangerous and you will be unable to see hazards such as missing manhole covers.
Sandbags
We keep a limited stock of sandbags, which are used in the first instance to protect key infrastructure identified by the emergency services, or as a barrier to divert water away from numbers of properties at a time. We will always help where we can, but there is no duty on the council to provide sandbags to communities, individual homes or businesses. If you think sandbags will be useful for your home, you can buy them from builders merchants to store at home ready to react quickly if there’s a problem.
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