What to do in an emergency

Get advice for emergencies like flooding, storms and fires. Learn how to prepare so you know what to do before, during and after an emergency.

While we can't control when emergencies happen, we can prepare for them and seek support and advice during and after they occur.

Emergency preparedness and planning is important to help you manage unexpected crises or emergencies such as terrorist attacks or extreme weather. Find out how to create an emergency kit for your home or car, get advice on extreme weather like storms and flooding, and learn what weather warnings mean.

Arrow icon Floods

Arrow icon Storms and power cuts

Arrow icon Heatwaves and drought

Arrow icon Fires

Arrow icon Snow and winter weather

Arrow icon Terrorist attacks

Arrow icon How to prepare for emergencies

Arrow icon Teaching resources

Floods

A fire engine and a British Red Cross emergency vehicle drive through a flooded road.

Floods advice

What to do before, during and after flooding. 

How to prepare for floods
A children's play apparatus engulfed in flood water, Fishlake, Doncaster.

Flooding in the UK: why is it a problem?

The risk of floods and flash floods is growing in England, Wales, and across the UK. Find out why.

Flooding in the UK

Storms and power cuts

A British Red Cross volunteer leads an older man out of a storm

What to do in a storm or thunderstorm

Get useful information and emotional support if you are affected by a storm or thunderstorm.

Get support during a storm
An emergency response worker responds during UK power cut emergency by providing supplies.

What to do in a power cut

Use our advice to make sure you're prepared for a power cut and know what to do if your home loses electricity.

Power cut help and advice

Heatwaves

A thermostat in a window during a blazing hot day.

UK heatwaves: How to cope in hot weather

Get first aid advice and tips for dealing with the extreme heat.

Advice on heatwaves
A little boy aims a water pistol at the camera.

Top tips to stay cool in a heatwave

Find out the very best ways to keep cool in extreme heat, and why you shouldn't believe some of those old myths.

How to keep cool during hot weather
An image showing a dried reservoir.

UK drought safety advice

Increasing temperatures and less rainfall means that the UK is more at risk of drought. Here's how to prepare.

Read drought advice

Fires

Standing in front of woods blackened by fire with their backs to the camera, an Australian Red Cross volunteer puts his arm around a woman as she lowers her head.

UK wildfires safety advice 

Wildfires have become more frequent, widespread and intense in the UK. Here's how to protect yourself and loved ones.

Read wildfire advice
Emergency response volunteers from the British Red Cross provide support during house fire.

What to do after a house fire

Find out what you need to do after a fire in your home, including how to clean up.

Steps to take after a fire

Snow and winter weather

Red Cross emergency vehicle driving over very snowy roads

Prepare for snow and winter weather

Follow our simple winter advice on preparing for snow and cold temperatures and what to do when snow and icy weather arrive.

Snow and winter weather
Someone warming their hands on a cup of tea

How to keep warm in winter

When cold temperatures hit, it's important to keep warm. Use our cost-effective tips this winter to make sure you and your home stay cosy.

Tips for keeping warm in winter

Terrorist attacks

How to prepare in case of a terrorist attack

What to do before, during and after terror attacks

Staying safe during a terror attack

Relief fund for UK victims of terror overseas

Get immediate financial help if you are injured or bereaved by terrorism overseas. 

Relief fund for victims of terrorism

Get the latest stories on emergencies in the UK and abroad.

Latest news on emergencies

How to prepare for an emergency

A British Red Cross stands in a flooded street talking to two members of the community in rain gear.

Five tips for preparing for emergencies

How to prepare for emergency situations by emergency planning and preparation. 

Five emergency preparedness tips
Two people resuscitate a man lying on the floor.

Learn first aid skills for adults

Self-directed first aid learning to build your confidence so you can save lives in emergencies.

Learn first aid skills online
Tablet view of emergency response app

Download our emergency app

For real-time alerts, warnings and advice in an emergency. 

Find out more about the app
Phone with the British Red Cross emergency response app.

Your emergency kit

What to have ready in your home, on the move and in your car when preparing for emergencies. 

How to make an emergency kit

Teaching resources

A man wearing the uniform of a British Red Cross emergency volunteer opens the door of an emergency vehicle while a woman volunteer walks toward it while talking on a mobile phone.

Disasters and emergencies teaching resources

Explore the topic of disasters and emergencies with our free lesson plans and learning materials, which are ideal for Citizenship, PSHE, and Geography curriculums.

View all disasters and emergencies resources
Red, black, grey and white colours are used in a grid of cartoon people and the title 'weather together' in the middle of the screen with cloud, lightening and sun symbols

Weather Together: A climate change teaching resource

The British Red Cross toolkit to teach learners how to prepare for and cope with extreme weather, including flooding, heatwaves and eco-anxiety. Suitable for learners aged 10 to 16.

Teach with Weather Together