Ask young people if they have seen the Preparing for Emergencies leaflet yet. Will they read it when it arrives? Do they think reading a leaflet is enough? Some people have said the public ought to be trained in emergency procedures and should practise them. Do young people agree? Do regular fire drills work?
The booklet has been written carefully to avoid creating panic. It does not go into detail about nasty situations that could arise, such as food shortages, looting, outbreaks of disease or contamination from biological or chemical weapons. Do young people want to know more about such possibilities or is it better to deal with each situation as it occurs?
If you are at home when a emergency happens, the Government suggests gathering together useful things such as phone numbers, keys, toiletries, sanitary supplies and any regular medication, a battery radio, candles and matches, a first-aid kit, clothes and blankets. It also suggests keeping a bottle and tin-opener along with a supply of ready-to-eat food and bottled water. Would young people know where to find these? Would they feel more secure if they did?
People may be advised to leave their homes as quickly and calmly as possible.
They should turn off the electricity, gas and water supplies, unplug appliances and lock all doors and windows. Do young people know how to do all this?
All schools have plans in place for coping with local emergencies, such as fire and flood, and for a major incident or disaster. Do young people know what those procedures are?
Is there anything missing from the booklet? Talk to young people about what worries them and what else they might like to know.
If there is a terrorist attack, the advice is to "go in, stay in and tune in". Isn't staying indoors and watching telly what adults do most of the time, anyway?
