A NEW video and leaflet to help people prepare for an emergency is being launched this week.

The leaflet and video are part of a campaign by the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Resilience Forum (LRF) to make sure that people know the steps that they can take to ensure they are better prepared should an emergency occur.

Both the video and the leaflet encourage you to stay safe and have a CLEAR plan.  There are five easy steps you can follow. They include Checking the radio, television, social media or internet for weather warnings and news that might warn you that an emergency situation is likely to occur.  Keeping a List of important numbers and details (like insurance policy numbers and medication) to hand.  Having an Emergency bag prepared with items that would help you in an emergency.  And knowing how and when to Act, should the worst happen, all resulting in you being able to Recover better.

Cllr Robert Oxborough, West Devon Borough Council's chair of community services, said: 'During the recent flooding that has so badly affected the region we have seen how taking a few simple steps to prepare for an emergency can really make a difference to how people are affected and how quickly they recover.'

The video and leaflet are both available on the website at http://www.dcisprepared.org.uk">www.dcisprepared.org.uk

Paul Netherton, chairman of the LRF, said: 'No one expects to find themselves in an emergency situation, but thinking about what you would do and talking it through with your friends, family or those who you live with can help you to cope much better if you do.'

The recent floods have provided hard hitting examples of the benefits of being prepared but the campaign is not limited to helping those who could be affected by flooding improve their resilience.

'We are talking about any emergency situation that could cause people to either be confined to their homes or kept out of them for a number of days,' said Paul.

'It could be a weather related emergency like snow or flooding but it could just as easily be an environmental emergency, like dangerous emissions from a factory fire, or power shortage.'

The campaign is being supported with a competition for anyone living in Devon, Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly under the age of 18.  Based on the steps in the leaflet and video, they are being asked to share their ideas on how to encourage people to prepare for an emergency.