Evacuation

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The emergency services or council may ask you to evacuate your house if there is an emergency. This is for your own safety.

We only make an evacuation decision when we need to. It is important that you follow the advice given.

What you need to do

We understand that evacuating your home may be worrying. Take the following steps:

  1. try to stay calm and listen to the advice about the evacuation given by the official
  2. if possible, call a friend or relative to see if you can stay with them until the incident is over. Or, you may want to make arrangements to stay in a local Bed and Breakfast or Hotel. Contact the Emergency Homelessness team if you cannot make alternative arrangements.
  3. take your pets with you using a pet carrier or leash
  4. if you have time, think about important items you might want to take with you. Preparing an emergency grab bag in advance would save you time
  5. if you are not in immediate danger, try to shut all doors and windows and turn off the electricity and gas when leaving

Your personal safety

If an emergency occurs with little or no warning, such as a fire, you may need to make your own decision to evacuate if your personal safety is at risk. This kind of evacuation is likely to need quick decision making. The council may open up and invite you to go to an Emergency Centre

Don't forget your pet

You will likely think of your pet as a member of the family. For this reason it is important to plan for your pet, as you would for your family in the event of an emergency.

Tips to help with preparation

  • identify your pet. Fasten a current identification tag to your pet’s collar. If you can, include the contact of a friend or family member as well as your own in case you can't be contacted
  • photograph your pet. Carry a photo of your pet to help identify them in case you get separated
  • arrange for your pet to stay with a friend/family member if you get evacuated from your home

Pet supplies

Create a stock of supplies so you are ready for an evacuation. This should include:

  • food, enough for 3 days. Store in an airtight, water-proof container
  • water, for 3 days
  • medication, also have the name and dosage of the medication written down
  • harness or leash
  • pet carrier or crate
  • important documents, such as vaccination records
  • sanitation items such as pet litter and box, plastic bags and newspaper or paper towels
  • contact numbers for your vet, cattery/kennel, animal shelter
  • familiar items like your pet's favourite toy, bedding (this will reduce the stress of your pet)
  • Pet first aid kit. This should contain items such as a towel/board to act as a stretcher, non-stick bandages, adhesive tape, sterile saline solution for flushing wounds and eyes, gauze, towels or cloth to stem bleeding

If you must evacuate during an emergency, take your pet with you. Do not leave them in your home on their own.

We make every effort to accommodate pets at our emergency centres, but some of the buildings do not allow animals inside.

To prepare for this, please make arrangement in advance for your pet to stay with family or friends in the event of an emergency.