Recent power outages and water issues in Eynsham will have reminded many residents of the need to be prepared for unexpected events to minimise the disruption caused to daily life.
Oxfordshire County Council has some great resources on their website for individuals, businesses and communities to improve their resilience. We advise our residents to review the resources and take steps to ensure you’re prepared for potential risks: Community resilience | Oxfordshire County Council.
This can be as simple as making sure there are candles and torches in the house in case of a power outage, or having bottled water in the cupboard in case of water shortages. There are also more complex steps that might be suitable for those who are vulnerable, such as signing up to The Priority Services Register or applying for a ‘Message in a Bottle’ (this informs emergency services of any medication needs or existing conditions).
Consider the needs of everyone in your household – is someone particularly vulnerable and may have extra needs? It’s also useful to make a list of local places and people you could go to for help, including somewhere you could stay overnight if necessary.
Make a note of where your nearest defibrillator is kept; we have ten in Eynsham, including at the primary and secondary schools, Eynsham Village Hall and Sports Pavilion, at the library, the Co-op and the Fire Station. (See our map below or access the online map here: DefibFinder - find the defibrillators nearest you.)
Another useful website is UK Says No More (Safe Spaces Locations - UK SAYS NO MORE) which lists the nearest designated Safe Space to your location. These spaces are intended to be a refuge for people experiencing domestic abuse, rather than utility disruption or environmental issues at their home.