Staying safe in an emergency

Fire is a key risk to most of us and it can have a devastating effect on property and people. It's everyone's responsibility to prevent fires from starting.

When a fire occurs, we may have to provide a wide range of services, such as:

• structural analysis
• building repair
• setting up an emergency centre or temporary rehousing

Make sure you have a working fire alarm in your property and test it regularly. Check London Fire Brigade for fire safety advice and tips or to request a free home fire safety check.

You can minimise the risk of fire by:

• make an escape plan and practice how you'd escape in a smoky atmosphere
• installing smoke or heat alarms in your home in any room where a fire can start
• trying not to leave cooking unattended on the hob or grill
• trying to keep your oven, hob, cooker hood, extractor fan and grill clean
• checking that the cooker and hob are turned off when you’ve finished cooking
• keeping matches out of children’s reach and buying children resistant lighters
• closing all internal doors at night to prevent smoke from spreading if a fire starts
• not leaving washing machines, tumble driers or dishwashers on overnight

Find out more about what we do to prevent fire in Southwark.

The majority of fires related to e-bikes and e-scooters have happened in homes. These fires are often caused when charging batteries.

Find information on keeping your e-bike and home safe.

You can minimise the risk of fire by:

• not blocking your exit with charging batteries or e-bikes and e-scooters, store them in a shed or garage where possible
• not leaving your battery to charge when you're out or while you sleep
• making sure your battery and charger meet UK safety standards
• using the correct charger for your battery, and make sure to buy from a reputable seller
• letting your battery cool before charging it

Flooding incidents in Southwark are often the result of surface water. This can be caused by sudden heavy downpours or burst water mains where drainage systems are overwhelmed. 

Predicting surface water floods is difficult. They often happen in urban areas with little ground to absorb water. 

The Environment Agency operates a flood warning system, providing information to:

• the public
• media
• emergency services
• local authorities

If flooding is forecasted, warnings are issued using a set of easily recognisable codes:

• flood alert - flooding is possible, so be prepared
• flood warning - flooding is expected, and immediate action is required
• severe flood warning - severe flooding, danger to life

You can find out if your local area is at risk of flooding or call the Environment Agency's 24 hour Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

Additionally, the Environment Agency issues flood warnings through its:

• website
• television weather bulletins
• local radio weather and travel reports

You can also contact Floodline on 0845 988 1188 to listen to recorded flood warning information or speak to an operator for general information and advice 24 hours a day.

Once the floodwaters recede, you must clean, disinfect, repair, and fully dry out your home. This can take time and you may have to live in temporary accommodation.

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Get their approval before arranging any clean up or repairs. They may appoint their own builders. If you've moved into temporary accommodation, make sure they have your new contact details. Beware of bogus tradesmen taking advantage of the situation.

If you need repair work carried out, get quotes from several firms or recommendations from friends or neighbours. Read what to do after a flood.

Weather conditions can affect your daily activities. Local and national weather reports should inform you of any severe or hazardous weather affecting your area. Follow the advice given to protect you and your family from harm.

Winter weather can cause severe disruptions, especially if there's a prolonged period of sub-zero temperatures. Snow and icy roads are hazardous for motorists and pedestrians. Drivers should take extra care with black ice, which isn't always visible on roads. 

Severe gales could also be a problem during the winter months. High winds can cause damage to your property from loose debris or result in a building collapse. Make sure any loose fittings are securely fastened and lock doors and windows. Stay indoors if possible and avoid driving in such windy conditions.

Hot summer months can lead to heatwaves and droughts, negatively affecting your health. Ensure you stay hydrated and avoid being out in the sun during the hottest times of the day. Hosepipe bans and other measures may be introduced if water supplies are becoming depleted.

Other severe weather conditions include dense fog, heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning.

Read more about severe weather and how to stay safe.

You can minimise the risk of severe weather by:

• staying indoors as much as possible during a storm
• taking care when driving or only drive if your journey is necessary
• making sure that vulnerable neighbours or relatives are safe
• staying tuned to the weather forecast and plan ahead by buying supplies in advance

In winter, the weather can be unpredictable. It's important to pay attention to the weather forecast.

Preparing for winter can help you avoid disruptions. It can also help you avoid colds, flu and other health problems.

The Met Office provides tips on getting ready for winter

Winter gritting

In adverse weather conditions, we provide a winter maintenance service to help keep traffic moving and to minimise delays and accidents.

This includes salt gritting in advance of ice or snow, pavement clearing and providing salt or grit bins. All salt bins in Southwark have been replenished and stock levels at the depot remain high. Find our guidance on salting paths yourself.

Schools

Every effort will be made to keep schools open during periods of heavy snowfall. 

If you think the weather may cause disruption, contact your child's school directly.

Rubbish collection

We may be unable to collect waste from households until snow and ice have cleared. Although roads may be safe for cars in snowy conditions, our vehicles are much larger, and our routes include narrow and congested streets. 

We would only operate vehicles in snow conditions where we are sure it is safe to do so. If your household waste collection is delayed due to snow, it will be rescheduled. We will add updates to our website so that you can find out how your services are affected.

Parks

Take extra care in our parks and open spaces during the winter, as hard surfaces may be slippery. We salt (grit) high-risk areas where ice or snow is visible during the day. Most hard surfaces in our parks are not treated.

Review your travel plans before setting off on your journey and always consider alternative means of transport.

Rough sleepers

If you're worried about someone sleeping rough, tell StreetLink.

Read more about how we help rough sleepers

Transport

Check the websites of transport providers for information on changes or disruptions to services:

• Tube and Overground
• Buses
• Roads (TfL managed)
• River services
• Southern Railway
• SouthEastern Railway

Losing power and water can be frustrating. These could directly result from another incident in the area such as a fire or a burst water main.

During an emergency, your electricity, gas, or water supplier should tell you about service outages. They can also advise when services are likely to return to normal.

Thames Water and UK Power Networks offer services to support vulnerable people in the event of a disruption. 

Cyber-dependent crimes are offences that can only be committed using technology. This includes hacking, the spread of viruses and distributed denial of service attacks.

You can minimise the risk of a cyber attack by:

• using a firewall on your computer
• keeping software updated - older software may be redundant
• having a strong password
• using a multi-factor authenticator when possible
• knowing the signs of an active attack
• checking the sender's email address 
• using antivirus software
• backing-up your data regularly
• not following links or open attachments in emails unless from a trusted source
• being wary of what you post online
• having high security settings on social media sites
• being wary when using public wifi: if unsure use 3G, 4G or 5G data instead

A pandemic is a fast-spreading epidemic that can cause serious illness in many people. Pandemics are natural events that happen when a new virus evolves. Few people are immune to them.

A pandemic could cause many people to have symptoms. It could also lead to deaths and work absences.

You can minimise the risk of a pandemic by:

• having a vaccination to help reduce the risk and spread of pandemics
• maintaining good hygiene to prevent the spread of germs
• keeping a healthy lifestyle
• identifying someone who could collect your medication and other supplies if you are isolated
• checking GOV.UK and NHS websites
• keeping a personal stock of over-the-counter medication, including hand sanitizer and spare face coverings

The UK faces a threat from terrorism. The threat is from international groups, domestic extremists and Northern Ireland-related groups.

Many of the networks and individuals who pose a terrorist threat seek to harm large numbers of people. Attacks can potentially threaten both life and property.

You can minimise the risk of terrorism by:

• using CitizenAID, which provides clear and simple actions on immediate actions in a shooting, stabbing or bomb incident
• reporting suspicious activity by calling 0800 789 321 (confidential)

Remember Run. Hide. Tell

Run to a place of safety. This is a far better option than to surrender or negotiate. If there’s nowhere to go, then..

Hide It’s better to hide than to confront. Remember to turn your phone to silent and turn off vibrate. Barricade yourself in if you can. Then finally and only when it is safe to do so…

Tell the police by calling 999.

Unexploded ordnances (UXO) are explosive weapons. They did not explode when used and they still can explode. Risk is greater in areas like Southwark as they were heavily bombed during the Blitz. Items of ordnance tend to be discovered during construction work and on building sites.

It is not uncommon for residents to be evacuated temporarily when a UXO is investigated. This is to make sure that you are safe. You may be accommodated in an emergency centre.

You can minimise the risk of being evacuated by:

• planning where you will go if you have to evacuate, such as family or friends nearby and how you’ll get there
• planning what to take with you if you have to evacuate your home, including medication, clothes, phone and charger

Incidents that accidentally release hazardous materials are called HAZMAT incidents. 

If an incident involves the deliberate release or malicious use of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials, it is called a CBRN incident.

Both these types of incidents require specific responses by the emergency services. We'll support emergency services, and provide any necessary assistance.

Read more about how to recognise and respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents.