Hertfordshire residents encouraged to prepare for emergencies as survey reveals many wouldn't be ready
A new campaign aims to help residents take simple steps to safeguard themselves, ensuring they've got things like adequate home insurance
A survey has revealed that 79% of Hertfordshire residents have not taken steps to prepare for emergency situations, despite many recognising the importance of doing so.
The findings come as the Hertfordshire Local Resilience Forum (HLRF) launches a campaign called ‘Are You Ready?’, which encourages residents to prepare for potential risks such as extreme weather, flooding, cyber attacks, power outages, pandemics, and terrorism.
The campaign provides practical advice, guiding residents on how to protect themselves, their families, and their homes.
Understanding the risks
According to the survey, 86% of respondents said they did not know where to find information on preparing for emergencies, while 76% lacked an emergency supply of bottled water at home. More concerning is that 79% were unaware of the most likely risks Hertfordshire faces, which include extreme weather and flooding.
Alex Woodman, Hertfordshire's Chief Fire Officer and Executive Director for Community Protection, said:
“As we increasingly see our communities impacted by more adverse weather, and hot temperature records are broken year on year, it is more important than ever that residents are prepared for the hazards we could face.
“The results of this survey show the information is needed more than ever. But the good news is that many residents also showed a real desire to want to learn more, so we are here today to say – here are the tools, and we will support you to be ready for anything.”
Steps to take now
Alex Woodman is urging residents to visit the campaign webpage to access resources and start conversations with family, friends, and neighbours about preparedness.
“It helps us, and we want to help you ahead of something going wrong to be prepared,” Woodman said.
The website provides advice for scenarios like cold weather, flooding, winter safety, and power outages. It also covers other potential risks specific to the county, such as cyber attacks and pandemics.
Woodman added, “Take steps like understanding how to switch off your gas, water, and electricity at home. Ensure your gutters and drains are clear to help prevent flooding, and check that your home insurance covers emergencies such as natural disasters.”
While a majority of respondents (92%) reported having home insurance, many were unsure whether it covered flood damage. Alex stressed the importance of reviewing policies and ensuring sufficient coverage.
Encouraging community awareness
Alex Woodman and the HLRF are calling on residents to share the initiative and its resources.
“We cannot do enough to promote people's preparedness and awareness for what might happen in a crisis,” he said.
People can start improving their knowledge and taking simple steps by visiting www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/ready .