An emergency plan at home

A plan in 7 steps

1. Learn the special features of your home

First, think about how you can protect your home. In the event of a sudden emergency, this will save you time.

• Note the location of the water and gas tap and electricity meters in your house or apartment. Learn how to shut them off. Draw up a list of useful telephone numbers for the gas, water and electricity companies where you are a customer. 
• Install smoke detectors in all useful areas of your home. Test them regularly. 
• Do you have a ventilation system? Make sure you know how to turn it off. This can be important if you need to take shelter. 
• Do you have an alarm system? Make sure you know how to activate and deactivate it. Add your alarm system's contact number to your list of useful telephone numbers.
• Do you have electronic gates, roller shutters or doors? Make sure you know how to unlock them in the event of a power failure. 
• Is there a fire extinguisher? Make sure you know how to use it.

2. Gather together any useful items

In an emergency situation, it can be useful to find certain items quickly. Gather these useful items into an emergency kit. 

3. Learn how to get out as quickly as possible

Every day, you enter and leave your home several times through your front door. But what if the front door is not accessible? Or if there is no light? Think in advance about how to leave your home safely in an emergency. 

4. Memorise emergency numbers

• Download the app 112.be . You can then quickly call the police or fire service. The control centre can find you quickly if you share your location.
• Learn all the emergency numbers.
• Make a list of useful telephone numbers.
  • Your gas, water and electricity supplier
  • Your alarm system operator
  • Your GP
  • Your insurance company
  • Your neighbours or SOS contacts

5. Identify emergency contact persons

Who would be the first person, acquaintance or family member, you would contact in an emergency situation? Who could come and lend a hand if you need it? Identify these contact persons in advance. 

• Programme an SOS contact person into your phone. On some phones, this appears as ICE (In Case of Emergency).
• Agree on who to contact if you need help in your area. Also identify someone who lives further away, in case you cannot get to your street or neighbourhood. 
  • Make sure everyone in the house knows who these contacts are (addresses and phone numbers). That way, you can find each other if you are not together, and you can contact each other even if you have forgotten your mobile phone or your battery is flat. 
  • Do you have a pet? Discuss with your contacts to find out whether you can also bring your pet to their home if need be. 

6. Talk about it 

Involve enough people in your plan. Make sure every member of the household has this information. 

You do not have to come up with a plan on your own. Read our tips for drawing up a plan with friends, neighbours, family or acquaintances. 

7. Practice your plan 

• Do you have children? Teach them the steps of this plan. Pay particular attention to emergency numbers and a safe evacuation route outside. 
• Does anyone in the home have special needs (specific medication, disability, limited knowledge of digital tools)? Adapt your plan accordingly. Practice regularly.
• Do you have any pets? Don't forget to factor this into your plan. Read our tips here. 

Template to complete and print out

With this template, you can draw up an emergency plan that will help you and your family respond quickly and appropriately in an emergency. Print it out and hang it in a prominent place in your home.