First actions / right now

1. Move people and pets away from rising water; use a safe route to higher ground or upstairs if escape is blocked. Call 999 if life is at risk.
2. Follow an evacuation instruction promptly. Do not walk, cycle or drive into floodwater; depth, current, drains and contamination may be hidden.
3. Only isolate utilities if it is safe and you know how. Never touch electrical switches while standing in water.

Basis: GOV.UK · Before or during a flood · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

First 24 hours / stabilise

1. Account for everyone at a safe meeting point. Tell a trusted contact where you are; ask your council about reception centres and accessible transport.
2. Keep children and pets away from water and contaminated belongings. Use safe drinking water and follow the water supplier’s notices.
3. Record damage only from a safe place. Contact your insurer before disposal or repairs; do not enter an unsafe building for photographs.

Basis: GOV.UK · Before or during a flood · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Through 72 hours / sustain

1. Arrange temporary accommodation and prescription access. Ask for help early if a carer, mobility aid or medical device is unavailable.
2. Return only when responders say it is safe. Have affected electrics and heating assessed by qualified professionals before reuse.
3. Treat cleanup as a separate recovery task: check local public-health advice, protect broken skin and avoid contact with sewage.

Basis: GOV.UK · Before or during a flood · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Prepare / before you need it

1. Before rain: identify two safe destinations and assistance for anyone who cannot use stairs.
2. Check local flood warnings and practise a departure route without crossing low-lying roads.

Basis: GOV.UK · Before or during a flood · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Equipment / plan additions

Use with the shared household checklist. Never delay escape to retrieve supplies.

Mistakes / avoid

• Trying to save a vehicle as water rises.
• Assuming familiar roads or bridges remain safe.
• Switching wet electrical equipment back on.

References / scope

Source check: 23 October 2026. These are editorial summaries, not agency endorsements. Timelines are household planning prompts.

• GOV.UK · Before or during a flood
  England; page links to devolved-nation guidance.https://www.gov.uk/help-during-flood
• Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist
  UK household planning; not incident instructions.https://beready.campaign.gov.uk/be-ready-for-emergencies/

First actions / right now

1. If fire is in your home, alert others and leave by a safe route. Leave belongings; close doors behind you if possible. Call 999 from safety.
2. Do not use ordinary lifts or enter smoke-filled stairs. If trapped, close the door, call 999 with your exact location and follow the call handler’s advice.
3. In a block with a stay-put plan, an unaffected flat may be safer than a smoky corridor. Leave if affected by smoke or fire, instructed by firefighters, or unsafe and the route is clear.

Basis: London Fire Brigade · Home escape plan · GOV.UK · Small blocks of flats: fire safety · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

First 24 hours / stabilise

1. Stay at the agreed assembly point and tell firefighters who may still be inside. Never re-enter for a person, pet or possessions.
2. Seek urgent medical help for breathing difficulties or smoke exposure; symptoms can worsen after leaving.
3. Contact housing management, the council or insurer for accommodation. Explain mobility, sensory and care needs.

Basis: London Fire Brigade · Home escape plan · GOV.UK · Small blocks of flats: fire safety · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Through 72 hours / sustain

1. Do not return until authorised. Arrange essential medicines and replacements for assistive equipment.
2. Ask a qualified professional to assess damaged wiring and appliances. Photograph damage only when access is safe.
3. Review the escape plan with everyone; confirm any temporary building strategy with the responsible person.

Basis: London Fire Brigade · Home escape plan · GOV.UK · Small blocks of flats: fire safety · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Prepare / before you need it

1. Practise the normal route and an alternative. Keep corridors and fire doors clear.
2. Agree assistance before an incident; never assume someone else has reported a fire.

Basis: London Fire Brigade · Home escape plan · GOV.UK · Small blocks of flats: fire safety · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Equipment / plan additions

Use with the shared household checklist. Never delay escape to retrieve supplies.

Mistakes / avoid

• Stopping to collect the emergency bag.
• Treating every block of flats as having the same evacuation policy.
• Fighting a fire instead of protecting your escape.

References / scope

Source check: 23 October 2026. These are editorial summaries, not agency endorsements. Timelines are household planning prompts.

• London Fire Brigade · Home escape plan
  Houses and converted flats.https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/escape-plan/escape-plan-houses-and-converted-flats/
• GOV.UK · Small blocks of flats: fire safety
  Includes stay-put strategy; follow your building’s actual plan.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-your-small-block-of-flats-safe-from-fire/a-guide-to-making-your-small-block-of-flats-safe-from-fire-accessible

First actions / right now

1. Pause the story if there is an actual danger. Use the emergency panel and describe observable facts to responders.
2. For the exercise, identify a safe meeting place and account for participants without approaching a supposed threat.
3. Keep the exercise non-contact. Do not carry weapons, restrain strangers or barricade public exits.

Basis: Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

First 24 hours / stabilise

1. Tabletop task: imagine phones are unavailable. Work out how separated household members would receive a reliable message.
2. List essential care needs, including medicines, charging, food allergies, babies and pets. Identify who can help each person.
3. Choose a trusted information lead. Label every invented update as fictional so it cannot circulate as a real alert.

Basis: Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Through 72 hours / sustain

1. Rehearse a supply interruption using the shared checklist, within your normal budget. Do not stockpile at others’ expense.
2. Check whether the meeting point is accessible after dark and whether a backup is needed. Discuss routes on a map rather than testing dangerous areas.
3. Debrief: what depended on one phone, driver or carer? Assign one practical improvement to each household member.

Basis: Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Prepare / before you need it

1. Set boundaries, a stop word and consent before the tabletop session.
2. Turn story decisions into ordinary preparedness tasks; no fictional “infection control” rules apply to real people.

Basis: Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Equipment / plan additions

Use with the shared household checklist. Never delay escape to retrieve supplies.

Mistakes / avoid

• Treating illness or disability as evidence of a fictional threat.
• Sharing dramatic role-play messages without context.
• Using weapons, traps or real pursuit during an exercise.

References / scope

Source check: 23 October 2026. These are editorial summaries, not agency endorsements. Timelines are household planning prompts.

• Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist
  UK household planning; not incident instructions.https://beready.campaign.gov.uk/be-ready-for-emergencies/

First actions / right now

1. Verify any claim using official government communications and recognised scientific sources. Do not act on a viral trajectory map or screenshot alone.
2. If officials issue a local evacuation or shelter instruction, follow it. Do not travel towards an alleged impact or observation site.
3. If an actual blast, fire or falling debris is occurring, move away from windows and immediate hazards as safely as possible and contact emergency services for life-threatening danger.

Basis: NASA · Planetary defense · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

First 24 hours / stabilise

1. Exercise task: assume transport and communications are disrupted. Account for household members and identify a safe contact method.
2. Use the flood, fire, blackout or earthquake guide only for the real secondary hazard that is present. They do not predict impact effects.
3. Keep roads available for responders and check the council’s information about shelter, welfare and accessible transport.

Basis: NASA · Planetary defense · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Through 72 hours / sustain

1. Reassess only against official updates. A quiet period or an elapsed 72 hours is not an all-clear.
2. Plan continuity of medicines, care and accommodation if return is delayed. Record what is known separately from assumptions.
3. Discuss financial and emotional support after a real disruption; avoid paying for “guaranteed” shelters or unverified protection products.

Basis: NASA · Planetary defense · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Prepare / before you need it

1. Use this as a decision-making exercise: who verifies information, who checks neighbours and who carries the contact list?
2. Do not build a shelter or choose an evacuation route using this speculative story alone.

Basis: NASA · Planetary defense · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Equipment / plan additions

Use with the shared household checklist. Never delay escape to retrieve supplies.

Mistakes / avoid

• Inventing an exclusion zone from the object’s size.
• Watching a predicted impact from a coast or hilltop.
• Assuming an ordinary household kit can make every impact survivable.

References / scope

Source check: 23 October 2026. These are editorial summaries, not agency endorsements. Timelines are household planning prompts.

• NASA · Planetary defense
  Scientific background only; does not endorse this exercise.https://science.nasa.gov/planetary-defense/
• Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist
  UK household planning; not incident instructions.https://beready.campaign.gov.uk/be-ready-for-emergencies/

First actions / right now

1. If violence develops nearby, leave by a clear route away from confrontation. Do not approach to film or argue.
2. If leaving would put you in immediate danger, move to a safer place and follow police directions. Keep exits available.
3. Call 999 for immediate danger when safe. For a weapons attack specifically: escape if safe; otherwise hide, silence the phone including vibration, and tell police when safe.

Basis: Counter Terrorism Policing · Run Hide Tell · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

First 24 hours / stabilise

1. Check transport and local police updates before a necessary journey. Tell someone your route and expected arrival.
2. Account for companions without returning into a dangerous crowd. Choose a quiet, accessible reunion point outside the affected area.
3. If displaced, ask the council about accommodation and welfare support. Share verified service information rather than names or rumours about participants.

Basis: Counter Terrorism Policing · Run Hide Tell · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Through 72 hours / sustain

1. Review whether work, school or care journeys need an alternative route. Follow reopening notices rather than assuming the area is clear.
2. Document losses safely for an insurer. Keep original evidence private and follow police reporting advice.
3. Check on people who are isolated or distressed, with their agreement. Ask for practical help if supplies or care visits are interrupted.

Basis: Counter Terrorism Policing · Run Hide Tell · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Prepare / before you need it

1. Agree how your group will separate and reunite safely before a large event.
2. Know venue exits and transport options; follow steward and police safety instructions.

Basis: Counter Terrorism Policing · Run Hide Tell · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Equipment / plan additions

Use with the shared household checklist. Never delay escape to retrieve supplies.

Mistakes / avoid

• Going closer to record events.
• Confronting people or carrying items as weapons.
• Applying attack-specific tactics to every gathering.

References / scope

Source check: 23 October 2026. These are editorial summaries, not agency endorsements. Timelines are household planning prompts.

• Counter Terrorism Policing · Run Hide Tell
  For a firearms or weapons attack, not peaceful protest.https://www.protectuk.police.uk/advice-and-guidance/response/run-hide-tell
• Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist
  UK household planning; not incident instructions.https://beready.campaign.gov.uk/be-ready-for-emergencies/

First actions / right now

1. Check current public-health instructions for the actual infection and your UK nation. Do not infer the cause from symptoms alone.
2. For a respiratory illness with fever or feeling too unwell for normal activities, try to remain at home and avoid contact, especially with people at higher risk.
3. Seek clinical advice if worried or worsening. Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency such as severe breathing difficulty; do not wait for a test result.

Basis: UKHSA · Respiratory infection symptoms · NHS · Respiratory tract infections · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

First 24 hours / stabilise

1. Arrange contact-free support for essentials if unwell. Tell care providers about symptoms so they can plan safe assistance.
2. For respiratory infection, improve fresh airflow when safe, cover coughs, clean hands and reduce close contact. Do not prop fire doors open.
3. Rest and drink fluids as appropriate for your health needs. Ask a pharmacist about symptom relief and medicine interactions; follow labels.

Basis: UKHSA · Respiratory infection symptoms · NHS · Respiratory tract infections · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Through 72 hours / sustain

1. Review symptoms and ask for medical advice if worsening or very unwell; people at higher risk should contact a clinician promptly.
2. Check current vaccine, testing and treatment eligibility through the NHS. Do not use a fixed 72-hour deadline to decide you are no longer infectious.
3. Keep normal prescribed care going through your healthcare team. Arrange a backup carer and a reliable medicine collection plan.

Basis: UKHSA · Respiratory infection symptoms · NHS · Respiratory tract infections · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Prepare / before you need it

1. Ask your care team how appointments and urgent medication access would continue during service disruption.
2. Keep a symptom record to support clinical conversations; do not use it to self-diagnose a new pathogen.

Basis: UKHSA · Respiratory infection symptoms · NHS · Respiratory tract infections · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Equipment / plan additions

Use with the shared household checklist. Never delay escape to retrieve supplies.

Mistakes / avoid

• Taking antibiotics for a virus without a prescription.
• Mixing remedies that contain the same medicine.
• Assuming one pandemic’s isolation rules apply forever.

References / scope

Source check: 23 October 2026. These are editorial summaries, not agency endorsements. Timelines are household planning prompts.

• UKHSA · Respiratory infection symptoms
  England respiratory guidance; not universal advice for every pathogen.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/people-with-symptoms-of-a-respiratory-infection-including-covid-19
• NHS · Respiratory tract infections
  Symptoms, self-care and seeking medical advice.https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-tract-infection/

First actions / right now

1. For a radiation emergency affecting your area, follow the official message: go indoors, remain inside and monitor trusted broadcasts. Use the nearest building rather than travelling home.
2. Shut external doors, windows and vents where possible; turn off fans and air conditioning as directed, except safety-critical ventilation. Stay away from external walls.
3. Do not go outside to collect relatives from schools or care facilities. They will have their own instructions. Evacuate only if authorities direct it, unless your shelter has an immediate danger such as fire.

Basis: UKHSA · What to do in a radiation emergency · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

First 24 hours / stabilise

1. Listen for location-specific changes and food or water restrictions. Radiation cannot be judged by smell, sight or how well you feel.
2. If officials advise decontamination, follow the linked UKHSA instructions. Do not improvise chemical washes or take iodine products without official direction.
3. Contact NHS services for essential medical needs rather than leaving shelter without advice. Explain that a radiation shelter instruction is in place.

Basis: UKHSA · What to do in a radiation emergency · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Through 72 hours / sustain

1. There is no automatic all-clear at 24 or 72 hours. Remain guided by the latest local instructions and any evacuation assistance.
2. Plan care, sanitation and medicine needs with responders if sheltering continues. Record official messages and their time to avoid stale advice.
3. Follow any restrictions on local produce, water or access. Do not attempt contamination testing or cleanup with household equipment.

Basis: UKHSA · What to do in a radiation emergency · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Prepare / before you need it

1. Before an incident, identify indoor locations and discuss communication with schools and carers.
2. Review this scenario with a radiation-protection specialist before adding any weapon-specific instructions.

Basis: UKHSA · What to do in a radiation emergency · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Equipment / plan additions

Use with the shared household checklist. Never delay escape to retrieve supplies.

Mistakes / avoid

• Driving through the affected area to reach home.
• Using iodine, salt or supplements as universal radiation protection.
• Treating a mask or basement as protection against every nuclear effect.

References / scope

Source check: 23 October 2026. These are editorial summaries, not agency endorsements. Timelines are household planning prompts.

• UKHSA · What to do in a radiation emergency
  Radiation incidents; not a nuclear weapon survival protocol.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/radiation-emergencies-information-for-the-public/what-to-do-in-a-radiation-emergency

First actions / right now

1. Use a torch. Check whether neighbouring buildings are affected without entering unsafe areas. Report to your network operator: 105 in Great Britain; 03457 643643 in Northern Ireland.
2. If power-dependent medical equipment is at risk, use its agreed backup plan and contact the care provider. Call 999 for immediate life-threatening danger.
3. Never run a generator, barbecue or outdoor fuel stove indoors or in a confined space. Keep away from fallen cables and report them.

Basis: Cabinet Office · Power cuts · London Fire Brigade · Carbon monoxide safety · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

First 24 hours / stabilise

1. Conserve phone charge and listen to a battery radio. Keep fridge and freezer doors closed and follow food-safety advice before using affected food.
2. Keep warm with layers and blankets, or seek a safe cool place in heat. Check neighbours only when the route is safe.
3. Switch off non-essential appliances so they do not restart unattended. Keep a light on to show when power returns.

Basis: Cabinet Office · Power cuts · London Fire Brigade · Carbon monoxide safety · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Through 72 hours / sustain

1. Ask your council or supplier about welfare support if heating, water or communications remain unavailable.
2. Keep medical supplies within their required storage conditions; ask a pharmacist if refrigeration has failed. Do not guess whether they remain usable.
3. When power returns, check appliances cautiously and reset essential devices. Confirm telecare and medical alarms work; replenish batteries.

Basis: Cabinet Office · Power cuts · London Fire Brigade · Carbon monoxide safety · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Prepare / before you need it

1. Ask suppliers about Priority Services or Northern Ireland Customer Care Registers; registration does not guarantee uninterrupted power.
2. Test backup arrangements with your device provider in advance. Keep the reporting number on paper.

Basis: Cabinet Office · Power cuts · London Fire Brigade · Carbon monoxide safety · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Equipment / plan additions

Use with the shared household checklist. Never delay escape to retrieve supplies.

Mistakes / avoid

• Using an oven to heat a room.
• Connecting a generator to house wiring without a qualified installation.
• Assuming a digital landline or telecare unit has backup power.

References / scope

Source check: 23 October 2026. These are editorial summaries, not agency endorsements. Timelines are household planning prompts.

• Cabinet Office · Power cuts
  UK; reporting numbers differ in Northern Ireland.https://beready.campaign.gov.uk/be-informed-about-hazards/power-cuts/
• London Fire Brigade · Carbon monoxide safety
  Fuel burning appliances and enclosed-space hazards.https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/carbon-monoxide-safety/

First actions / right now

1. Check service status through a known official address or another trusted channel. Do not install a repair tool offered by an unsolicited message.
2. If an account is compromised, use the provider’s recovery process from a device you trust. Secure the email account used for password resets.
3. For suspicious financial activity, contact your bank using its known number. If essential medical or utility services fail, use the relevant care or outage plan.

Basis: NCSC · Recovering a hacked account · Cabinet Office · Power cuts · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

First 24 hours / stabilise

1. For a hacked account: check forwarding rules, replace compromised or reused passwords, sign out other sessions and enable two-step verification.
2. Keep evidence such as dates, messages and transaction references. Tell contacts through another channel if your account sent fraudulent messages.
3. Use paper contacts and pre-arranged meeting plans if communications are down. Spend cash cautiously; do not disclose account recovery codes to helpers.

Basis: NCSC · Recovering a hacked account · Cabinet Office · Power cuts · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Through 72 hours / sustain

1. Apply provider-approved updates and review recovery details. Restore from trusted backups only once you understand the compromise.
2. Review bank statements and other linked accounts. Follow the current NCSC route for reporting fraud, which differs in Scotland.
3. If disruption is widespread, arrange care and household supplies through verified local support. A national outage cannot be solved by changing your home password.

Basis: NCSC · Recovering a hacked account · Cabinet Office · Power cuts · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Prepare / before you need it

1. Use unique passwords, two-step verification and backups in advance. Make sure another authorised person can access essential household information.
2. Keep private recovery information out of this public checklist and shared printouts.

Basis: NCSC · Recovering a hacked account · Cabinet Office · Power cuts · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Equipment / plan additions

Use with the shared household checklist. Never delay escape to retrieve supplies.

Mistakes / avoid

• Clicking a “refund” or “security reset” link in a surprise message.
• Sharing one-time codes or paying an unsolicited recovery agent.
• Wiping devices before preserving evidence or consulting support.

References / scope

Source check: 23 October 2026. These are editorial summaries, not agency endorsements. Timelines are household planning prompts.

• NCSC · Recovering a hacked account
  Account recovery; not a prediction of national infrastructure failure.https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/recovering-a-hacked-account
• Cabinet Office · Power cuts
  UK; reporting numbers differ in Northern Ireland.https://beready.campaign.gov.uk/be-informed-about-hazards/power-cuts/

First actions / right now

1. In strong wind, stay indoors if safe and delay non-essential travel. Keep clear of trees, damaged walls and fallen cables; do not attempt outdoor repairs mid-storm.
2. For thunder, seek a substantial building or enclosed hard-top vehicle if safely reachable. Avoid exposed ground and water; do not shelter under an isolated tree.
3. For suspected heatstroke, call 999 and begin cooling. Confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness or remaining unwell after 30 minutes of cooling are emergency signs.

Basis: Met Office · Stay safe in a storm · Met Office · Thunder and lightning · NHS · Heat exhaustion and heatstroke · London Fire Brigade · Carbon monoxide safety · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

First 24 hours / stabilise

1. Heat: move to a cool place, remove unnecessary clothing and cool skin. Offer water only if the person is alert and can swallow; stay with them.
2. Cold or snow: arrange warm layers, a safe heated place and a check-in for people who need assistance. Avoid unnecessary journeys on unsafe routes.
3. After wind, keep clear of weakened structures. Check local flood and transport notices before travelling; use the flood guide for rising water.

Basis: Met Office · Stay safe in a storm · Met Office · Thunder and lightning · NHS · Heat exhaustion and heatstroke · London Fire Brigade · Carbon monoxide safety · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Through 72 hours / sustain

1. Check care visits, medicines and safe accommodation if a home is too hot, cold or damaged. Ask for help rather than using unsafe heating.
2. Reassess food and medicine storage after outages. Do not use a barbecue or generator inside for warmth or cooking.
3. Arrange repairs only when conditions allow safe access. Keep photos and receipts for insurers and update your household weather plan.

Basis: Met Office · Stay safe in a storm · Met Office · Thunder and lightning · NHS · Heat exhaustion and heatstroke · London Fire Brigade · Carbon monoxide safety · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Prepare / before you need it

1. Secure loose outdoor items before high winds arrive, while it is safe.
2. Agree warm and cool destinations, including transport and assistance needs. Never use fuel-burning outdoor equipment indoors.

Basis: Met Office · Stay safe in a storm · Met Office · Thunder and lightning · NHS · Heat exhaustion and heatstroke · London Fire Brigade · Carbon monoxide safety · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Equipment / plan additions

Use with the shared household checklist. Never delay escape to retrieve supplies.

Mistakes / avoid

• Going outside during a storm to rescue garden furniture.
• Choosing a flood-prone basement simply because it is indoors.
• Waiting for someone with heatstroke to recover without emergency help.

References / scope

Source check: 23 October 2026. These are editorial summaries, not agency endorsements. Timelines are household planning prompts.

• Met Office · Stay safe in a storm
  Before, during and after strong winds.https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/your-home/stay-safe-in-a-storm
• Met Office · Thunder and lightning
  Thunderstorm precautions.https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/health-wellbeing/stay-safe-in-thunder-and-lightning
• NHS · Heat exhaustion and heatstroke
  Cooling and emergency warning signs.https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/
• London Fire Brigade · Carbon monoxide safety
  Fuel burning appliances and enclosed-space hazards.https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/carbon-monoxide-safety/

First actions / right now

1. Indoors: drop, cover and hold on under sturdy furniture where possible. Protect your head and neck; keep away from windows and heavy objects. Do not rush down stairs during shaking.
2. If unable to drop, stay seated, brace and protect your head and neck as best you can. For a wheelchair, lock wheels if possible.
3. Outdoors: move into an open area away from buildings and overhead wires. Driving: pull over safely away from bridges, trees and cables; remain inside until shaking stops.

Basis: USGS · During an earthquake · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

First 24 hours / stabilise

1. Expect aftershocks. Leave a damaged building carefully after shaking stops, keeping clear of falling debris; do not use lifts.
2. Check injuries without entering unstable areas. Call emergency services for serious injury or trapped people; do not attempt structural rescue.
3. Avoid damaged utilities, naked flames and switches if gas is suspected. At a coast, follow local tsunami evacuation advice and signs promptly.

Basis: USGS · During an earthquake · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Through 72 hours / sustain

1. Stay out of damaged buildings until cleared by competent authorities. Do not return for belongings during aftershocks.
2. Contact housing, insurers and care providers for temporary accommodation and essential treatment. Keep routes clear for emergency traffic.
3. Use official notices for transport, water and return decisions. Keep a record of reunification plans if phones are unreliable.

Basis: USGS · During an earthquake · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Prepare / before you need it

1. Secure heavy furniture and avoid storing heavy items above beds. Practise protection with household members.
2. If travelling, learn the local warning system, emergency number and coastal evacuation route before an incident.

Basis: USGS · During an earthquake · Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Equipment / plan additions

Use with the shared household checklist. Never delay escape to retrieve supplies.

Mistakes / avoid

• Running outside beneath falling glass during shaking.
• Assuming a doorway is always the safest place.
• Re-entering a cracked building without clearance.

References / scope

Source check: 23 October 2026. These are editorial summaries, not agency endorsements. Timelines are household planning prompts.

• USGS · During an earthquake
  US authority used for physical protective actions; local responders take priority.https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-should-i-do-during-earthquake
• Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist
  UK household planning; not incident instructions.https://beready.campaign.gov.uk/be-ready-for-emergencies/

First actions / right now

1. For a real unusual event, move away from immediate hazards and describe what you can observe. Do not approach aircraft, debris or restricted areas.
2. For the tabletop story, appoint a fact-checker and separate confirmed information, assumptions and invented prompts.
3. Do not contact emergency services for role-play. Call them only for a real emergency; explain actual injuries or hazards rather than a fictional explanation.

Basis: Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · NCSC · Recovering a hacked account · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

First 24 hours / stabilise

1. Exercise task: compare two contradictory messages. Check the original issuer, publication time and location before choosing what to share.
2. Choose a backup contact method and meeting point. Identify how someone without a smartphone or with a sensory impairment gets the same information.
3. Plan normal food, water and medicine continuity if a communications outage is part of the story. No special “alien protection” equipment is needed.

Basis: Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · NCSC · Recovering a hacked account · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Through 72 hours / sustain

1. Run a calm household debrief. List which decisions had evidence and which were guesses; replace guesses with a question for the appropriate real authority.
2. Test whether documents and contacts can be found without internet access, using an agreed safe exercise.
3. Stop if participants become distressed. The useful outcome is a better communication plan, not greater belief in the story.

Basis: Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · NCSC · Recovering a hacked account · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Prepare / before you need it

1. Set a clear start and finish, consent and a stop word. Keep fictional messages inside the exercise group.
2. Use the cyber guide for an actual hacked account, and the emergency panel for immediate danger.

Basis: Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist · NCSC · Recovering a hacked account · Editorial planning suggestions; see scope in references.

Equipment / plan additions

Use with the shared household checklist. Never delay escape to retrieve supplies.

Mistakes / avoid

• Sharing fabricated official notices as if real.
• Going to restricted sites to investigate lights or debris.
• Buying unverified protective devices or treating strangers as hostile.

References / scope

Source check: 23 October 2026. These are editorial summaries, not agency endorsements. Timelines are household planning prompts.

• Cabinet Office · Be Ready household checklist
  UK household planning; not incident instructions.https://beready.campaign.gov.uk/be-ready-for-emergencies/
• NCSC · Recovering a hacked account
  Account recovery; not a prediction of national infrastructure failure.https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/recovering-a-hacked-account