The most likely risks in Hertfordshire
Flooding
Many people live and work in properties that are at risk of flooding from our rivers, so it’s important to consider the risks and prepare for them if they could affect you. Managing flood risk is the responsibility of Hertfordshire County Council, working with district and borough councils and other local organisations. Check your flood risk - you can check for current flood warnings by area and get information on making a flood plan for yourself or your business on the gov.uk website.
Make sure to do the following:
- Get home insurance which covers the cost of damage, including flooding.
- Clear drains and gutters of blockages
- Know how to turn off your gas, water and electricity
Prepare - learn more about flood risks and protecting your property
Consider sandbags and flood defences if your home is at risk - councils do not provide sandbags, it is the responsibility of the owner and/or occupant to protect a property. Sandbags are usually available at builder's merchants and large DIY stores.
Report a flood - if you see a flood, it’s good to know who is responsible for dealing with it, how to report a flood.
Extreme temperatures
Weather extremes, hot or cold, can prove to be a danger to our health, affect the local environment, and impact the services we depend on.
We have included information to help you prepare and stay safe, with links to useful websites and severe weather advice (Met Office).
Severe weather – check if any County Council services are affected by extreme conditions.
Cold weather
Winter weather can be bad for our health, particularly as we get older. The risk of strokes, heart attacks and increased blood pressure increases when we get cold and those with long-term health conditions are particularly vulnerable.
Some simple actions will help keep you and your home warm:
- Reducing draughts around doors will save you money and keep the cold out
- If you can, heat the rooms you use most to at least 18ºC
- Make sure your heating system is serviced once a year to keep it safe and working
- Keep bedroom windows closed, and curtains drawn at night
- Ensure you are eating well and have regular hot drinks – good hydration is important
- Dress in layers - thinner clothing is more effective than one thicker layer
- Be sure to have flu and other winter vaccines if you are recommended them, over 65, pregnant or have a health condition that puts you at risk
- If you can, avoid non-essential travel
- Check on vulnerable relatives and neighbours to see if they need any support.
Useful links for advice and preparation:
Cold weather and health: guidance and advice (NHS)
Keeping warm and well: staying safe in cold weather (Gov.uk)
Hot weather
High temperatures can be a danger to babies, young people, the elderly and those with long-term health problems. Overheating and dehydration during a heatwave are a real risk, but following some simple advice can reduce that risk considerably:
- Keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm - the hottest part of the day
- If you must go outside, wear long, light cotton clothing
- Don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- If you can, avoid sport, exercise and strenuous outdoor work in the hottest parts of the day
- Drink plenty of fluids – avoid drinking excess alcohol and caffeine
- Take plenty of water with you when travelling
- Don’t leave pets or passengers in a parked vehicle
- Keep your home cool – close windows and doors in the day to keep warmer air out. Open windows at night when the outside temperature cools
- You can also close curtains and blinds facing the sun to help keep temperatures lower
- Check on vulnerable relatives and neighbours to see if they need any support.
Useful links for advice and preparation:
Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Beat the heat: hot weather advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Pandemics and infectious disease outbreaks
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak which usually affects many people. Most of us will remember the widespread disruption caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic that spread worldwide in early 2020.
Stay up to date with UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) which works to prepare and respond to infectious diseases, and provides the latest news and information.
Different age groups can be affected by diseases in different ways, but it is usually older and vulnerable people who are more at risk.
As with all diseases and illnesses, taking care of our health and basic hygiene is a good start to avoiding infection and keeping us all healthy. This includes:
- Catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue, putting it in the bin it, and washing your hands with soap and water
- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Cleaning surfaces you touch every day at home and work regularly
- Avoiding contact with other people if you have an infection
- Making sure you and your family are up to date with recommended vaccinations
- Having an emergency supply of cold and flu medication at home
Keep an eye out for guidance and advice on the NHS website for England - NHS (www.nhs.uk) and if you have a concern about an infectious disease. You can also contact the NHS by calling 111.
Utilities failure and disruption
We depend on utility companies supplying us with electricity, gas and water every day. If you have ever experienced a loss of water, electricity or gas to your home or business, you will probably already be aware of the immediate impact it had on you.
Although we can’t avoid a disruption of the services we depend on, there are things we can do to prepare that will reduce the impact it has on us.
The National Grid website has provided information to prepare for a power cut.
If you, or someone you know, has extra access, communication or safety needs, you can register for the The PSR - The Priority Services Register (PSR) which provides information to electricity, gas and water suppliers to help them provide additional support to more vulnerable customers.
In the event of a power cut, be careful if you use candles, which can be a fire hazard. Use suitable holders, keep them away from draughts, curtains, and other flammable objects. Always put them out when you leave the room.
Vulnerable people
It’s a good idea to check on people who might need assistance during utility interruptions, if it’s safe to do so.
Terrorism
We often hear about worldwide terrorism in the media. While Hertfordshire is a good place to live and work and the chance of us being involved in a terrorist incident is rare, it’s a good idea to be aware of this danger and how we might respond to it.
If you see or hear anything that you think could be terrorist activity, call the Police on 999.
You can also call Crimestoppers, which is an independent charity on 0800 555 111 to give information with guaranteed anonymity.
The Counter Terrorism Alliance has launched Protect UK to share security and emergency preparedness advice to businesses and the public. This includes a Digital Toolkit and other materials businesses can use to train their staff to prepare for terrorism incidents.
The Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) website is an excellent source of advice to learn more about how to report suspicious activity, what to look out for and advice on staying safe and protecting yourself if you are caught up in a terrorist incident.
The Gov.uk website provides more information on terrorism and national emergencies.
Cyber attacks and crime
Our world has become increasingly digitally focused as we become more reliant on digital technology for shopping, payments and essential services. Terrorists and criminals can use technology to disrupt services we depend on and to commit crime.
Criminals can trick people into revealing passwords and sensitive information, as well as exploit security weaknesses.
We all need to be careful to avoid becoming victims, but making sure we take basic precautions can go a long way to being safer online.
Improve your online security to avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime and stay safe online by using and saving secure passwords, backing up data and updating your devices.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) offers good advice and guidance on how to stay safe online.
Improve business security with guidance from the NCSC, 10 Steps to Cyber Security - NCSC.GOV.UK.
What to do before and during an emergency
Before an emergency
Insurance – if the worst happens, you’ll be glad you’re insured. Make sure you have home insurance, which covers the cost of damage, including flooding.
Smoke alarms – fire and smoke can kill, but you can help protect your home and those in it for as little as £7 with a smoke alarm. For more information visit fire safety in your home.
Emergency supplies - getting the things you need during an incident lasting a few days may be difficult, think about having the following items at home:
- Torch/flashlight
- Battery or wind-up radio - to get updates during a power cut
- Spare batteries for torch/flashlight and radio
- Portable power bank - for charging your mobile phone
- First aid kit
- Wet wipes and hand sanitiser
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable food that doesn’t need cooking – like tinned fruit and meat
- A tin opener
- Extra pain, cold and flu medication and any regularly used prescription medicine
- Baby supplies (nappies and formula milk)
- Pet food
Grab bag – put together a bag of things you can quickly grab if you need to leave home in a hurry. That might include a power bank phone charger, medication, basic toiletries and warm clothing. It's a good idea to have copies of passports, insurance and financial documents in there too.
First aid – knowing what to do when someone is injured can be the difference between life and death. The NHS website provides good advice on what to do in an emergency.
Download a free first aid app from the British Red Cross so you know what to do in an emergency.
You can also learn first aid skills online and find training on the British Red Cross and St John Ambulance websites.
Visit the Prepare website (GOV.UK) for more information on emergency planning.
During an emergency
In most emergencies, the advice is to stay at home and listen to a local radio station to keep updated.
You can listen to the stations we’ve listed below from their websites, with a PC, mobile phone or smart speaker, but in the event of a power cut, a battery or wind up radio may be needed.
Check on people who might need more assistance during bad weather or power cuts, if safe to do so.