Kent and Medway Resilience Forum

15/09/2026

🚨 DAY 14 – PET & ANIMAL PRPAREDNESS🚨

🐾 Would your emergency plan work for every member of your household—including the four-legged ones?

Pets and other animals depend on us completely during emergencies.

Thinking ahead about food, medication, carriers, identification and temporary accommodation can make evacuation much less stressful for both you and your animals.

Preparedness means leaving no one behind.

✅ Today's Challenge
Check that your emergency plan includes your pets or animals.
Think about:
• Who could care for them if you couldn't?
• Are microchip and identification details current?
• Do you have spare food, water and medication?
• Is a carrier, lead or other equipment easily accessible?
• Where could you stay if you had to evacuate?
✅ Complete the challenge
⭐ Log your entry 👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/SKGdYQgMHd
🎯 Come back tomorrow for Day 16!

Key Messages
• Include animals in your household emergency plan.
• Keep a pet emergency kit ready.
• Keep microchip and identification details updated.
• Plan evacuation and temporary accommodation in advance.
• Include medication, food, water, leads and carriers.
• Consider learning basic pet first aid.

15/09/2026

Do you know why we sometimes issue a warning for a region experiencing severe weather while at other times, for the same region and similar weather we don't? Read on to find out. 

14/09/2026

Another Monday and another change in our weekly theme - this week - MAKE A PLAN - This week, we’re focusing on the steps you can take now so that if something unexpected happens, you and your loved ones know exactly what to do.

🚨 DAY 14 – SEVERE WEATHER🚨

⛈️ Storms, strong winds, heavy rain, snow, ice, heatwaves and cold spells can all disrupt everyday life.

Knowing what's coming gives you time to change travel plans, protect your home and look after your health.

One of the easiest preparedness actions you can take is simply making sure you receive trusted weather warnings.

✅ Today's Challenge
Sign up for weather warnings so you're ready when conditions change.
Today:
• Download or check a trusted weather app.
• Enable weather-warning notifications.
• Check forecasts before travelling.
• Make sure family members know where to find reliable information.
✅ Complete the challenge
⭐ Log your entry 👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/SKGdYQgMHd
🎯 Come back tomorrow for Day 15!

Key Messages
• Stay informed and be .
• Follow official weather warnings and advice.
• Check the forecast before travelling or making plans.
• Prepare for the potential impact on health, travel and property.
• Check on vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours.
• Early action can reduce disruption.

13/09/2026

🚨 DAY 13 – STOP THE SPREAD: HYGIENE & INFECTION PREVENTION🚨

🧼 Small everyday actions can make a big difference in reducing the spread of germs – and even save lives.

🧼 Some of the simplest preparedness actions are things we can do every day.

🧼 Good handwashing and respiratory hygiene can reduce the spread of infections in homes, workplaces, schools and public spaces.

🧼 Those small habits don't just protect you—they help protect the people around you too.

3 simple steps:
1️⃣ Wash your hands 🤲 – the right way: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/
2️⃣ Cover coughs & sneezes 🤧 – use a tissue or your elbow
3️⃣ Clean surfaces 🧼 – especially those you touch often

Visit https://germdefence.org for science-backed tips to protect yourself & your household, (this was set up during covid but still very relevant)

✅ Today's Challenge
Keep washing your hands regularly and encourage others to do the same.
Remember to:
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Clean your hands for at least 20 seconds.
• Use hand sanitiser when handwashing isn't available.
• Practise good respiratory hygiene.
• Encourage good hygiene in shared spaces.
✅ Complete the challenge
⭐ Log your entry 👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/SKGdYQgMHd
🎯 Come back tomorrow for Day 14!

Key Messages
• Regular hand hygiene helps reduce the spread of infection.
• Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use sanitiser when washing facilities aren't available.
• Practise good respiratory hygiene.
• Everyday actions can protect vulnerable people.
• Infection prevention is a shared responsibility.

Let’s all do our part to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities.

12/09/2026

🚨 DAY 12 – FIRST AID🚨

🩹 You don't need to be a medical professional to make a difference in an emergency.
The first person at the scene is often a member of the public—and simple first aid actions can help prevent a situation getting worse while professional assistance is on its way.

Learning even one basic skill can give you greater confidence to act.

✅ Today's Challenge
Learn one simple first aid skill and share it with someone else.
You could learn or refresh:
• CPR.
• The recovery position.
• How to manage serious bleeding.
• How to treat a burn.
• Basic first aid for children or babies.
Then show someone else what you've learned.
✅ Complete the challenge
⭐ Log your entry 👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/SKGdYQgMHd
🎯 Come back tomorrow for Day 13!

Key Messages
• Anyone can learn first aid.
• Early action can save lives and reduce harm.
• Keep first aid skills refreshed.
• Have an appropriate first aid kit at home, work and when travelling.
• Members of the public are often first on scene.
• Small actions can make a big difference.

12/09/2026

Get Informed: Knowledge That Can Save Lives "In an emergency, the r...

11/09/2026

🚨 DAY 11 – WATER AWARENESS🚨

🌊 Water can look calm while hiding serious risks.

Cold water shock, strong currents, tides, offshore winds and sudden weather changes can all turn an enjoyable day near water into an emergency.

Knowing what to do before you enter the water—and what to do if something goes wrong—can save lives.

✅ Today's Challenge
Learn about water risks and watch the Float to Live guidance.
Remember:
• If you unexpectedly enter the water, try to relax and float.
• Tilt your head back so your airway remains clear.
• Control your breathing before attempting to move.
• If someone else is in difficulty, call 999 rather than entering the water yourself.
At the coast, ask for the Coastguard.
✅ Complete the challenge
⭐ Log your entry 👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/SKGdYQgMHd
🎯 Come back tomorrow for Day 12!

Key Messages
• Always respect the water.
• Conditions can change quickly.
• Remember if you unexpectedly enter the water.
• Check weather and tide conditions before setting out.
• Avoid inflatables in open water, especially in windy conditions.
• Call 999 if someone is in danger.

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

🚨 DAY 10 – MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING🚨

💚 Preparedness is about looking after your mind as well as your physical safety.
Emergencies, uncertainty and disruption can leave us feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Recognising those feelings, staying connected and knowing when to seek support are important parts of personal resilience.

Sometimes small actions—going outside, speaking to someone or taking a break from the news—can help.

✅ Today's Challenge
Do something today that makes you happy.
You could:
• Take a break and get outside.
• Call or meet someone you enjoy spending time with.
• Step away from distressing news or social media for a while.
• Think about the things that help you feel calm and positive.
And perhaps check in with someone else too.
✅ Complete the challenge
⭐ Log your entry 👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/SKGdYQgMHd
🎯 Come back tomorrow for Day 11!

Key Messages
• Mental health is just as important as physical health.
• Recognise signs of stress and act early.
• Staying connected can make difficult situations easier.
• Limit exposure to distressing information if it's affecting your wellbeing.
• Support is available when you need it.
• Small daily actions can improve wellbeing over time.

09/09/2026

🚨 DAY 9 – KNOW WHO TO CALL 🚨

📞 In an emergency, would you know who to call?

Different services exist for different situations, and knowing which one to use can help get the right assistance to you more quickly.

🚨 999 – life-threatening emergencies
👮 101 – non-emergency police matters
🏥 NHS 111 – urgent medical advice that isn't life-threatening
🔥 0800 111 999 – National Gas Emergency number

Knowing the right number before you need it can make a real difference.

✅ Today's Challenge
Save the important emergency numbers in your phone.
Make sure everyone in your household knows:
• When to call 999.
• When to use 101.
• When NHS 111 is appropriate.
• What to do if they smell gas.
• The basic principles of Run, Hide, Tell.
✅ Complete the challenge
⭐ Log your entry 👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/SKGdYQgMHd
🎯 Come back tomorrow for Day 10!

Key Messages
• Know who to call and when.
• Use 999 for life-threatening emergencies.
• Use 101 for non-emergency police matters.
• Use NHS 111 for urgent, non-life-threatening medical advice.
• Use 0800 111 999 if you suspect a gas leak.
• If you cannot speak during a genuine 999 emergency, know about the Silent Solution.
• Ask for the Coastguard or Mountain Rescue through 999 when appropriate.