Be prepared! Garvald and Morham can get cut off in the snow in winter and/or have power cuts.

What to do right now:

• Please let Penny Short (the Community Emergency Co-ordinator) know if you might need extra help in the event of adverse weather or power cuts. This includes if you are vulnerable or have specific health needs, a chronic illness, a requirement for carers or use electrical medical equipment. Please contact Penny using the form below.
• Pack a small emergency kit and keep it in a safe place at home, in a waterproof bag. Your kit should include a torch and spare batteries (or a wind up torch), a battery-operated radio and spare batteries (or a wind up radio), mobile phone charger, essential medication, some toiletries and a first aid kit, 3 days’ supply of bottled water and ready-to-eat food (that won’t go off), copies of important documents like insurance policies and birth certificates (in case you need to locate these quickly or prove your identity), pencil, paper, a penknife, matches and a whistle.
• Think about what else you and your family might need, should an emergency occur over an extended period. For example, ensure you have enough food supplies (keep some tinned food and long-life or powdered milk), formula/baby food, pet supplies. Consider purchasing alternative heating methods, a camping stove and an analogue phone (modern digital cordless phones will not work in a power cut).

What to do in adverse weather conditions or a long power cut

• Keep as warm as possible. Wear layers of clothing and keep at least one room in the house heated.
• Please try your best to check on vulnerable neighbours and help them to prepare.

Before travelling in severe weather

• Consider whether you need to travel, or if you can wait until the weather improves
• Check the weather forecast, and keep up-to-date with the latest weather warnings and road conditions
• Make sure your car is ready for poor weather (check tyre pressure, windscreen washer supply and fuel levels)
• Tell someone your destination and when you expect to arrive
• Allow extra time for your journey
• Take a fully charged mobile and charger with you
• Pack an emergency kit in your car. The emergency kit could include a first aid kit, battery jump leads, a torch and spare batteries, a map for unplanned diversions, a blanket, a reflective warning sign. In cold weather, you should also take a shovel for snow, warm clothes and boots, some food, and a warm drink in a flask.

Obtaining information

Listen to local radio:

• East Coast FM (107.6FM)
• Forth 1 (97.3FM)
• Radio Scotland (92-95FM or 810MW)

if you have access to the internet, you can get current information from these websites:

• Police – www.scotland.police.uk or telephone 999
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – www.firescotland.gov.uk or telephone 999
• NHS Lothian – www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk or telephone 111
• Scottish Power – www.spenergynetworks.co.uk or telephone 105 or 0800 0929290
• Scottish Water – www.scottishwater.co.uk or telephone 0845 6018855
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency (flooding) – www.sepa.org.uk or telephone 08459 881188
• East Lothian Council – www.eastlothian.gov.uk or telephone 01620 827827 or out of hours 01875 612818

This information has also been published on the Community Council web pages so you can access it when necessary.