Once the immediate threat of a major emergency is over; recovery begins.

Whilst the recovery will vary depending on the emergency, there are some common themes which form part of the recovery from most major emergencies. These include:

If you were evacuated from your home

• Only return when you are told that it is safe to do so
• As soon as you return home, open window to provide fresh air
• Make arrangements to have gas reconnected – DO NOT attempt this yourself 
• Follow advice from your electricity supplier regarding reconnection or use of electricity. Check that appliances have not been left on when supply was disconnected.
• Follow any advice from the water company with regard to turning water back on / using it again

The impact on your property

If the emergency affected your home or personal belongings in some way, it is important that you:

• Check your home for any damaged caused by the emergency
• Call your insurance provider as soon as possible and follow their instructions; which may include not disposing of any damaged goods until your insurers have had a chance to inspect them
• Take pictures of all damages and keep detailed records of any repair work and cleaning costs
• Make arrangements for any structural or maintenance repairs
• Be aware of bogus traders who will show up after every disaster:
  • Always get a written quotation (your insurer will require this) and make sure that it is on letter headed paper with landline contact numbers and an address you have checked
  • Never pay in advance and only pay up when the work is done and you are happy with it
  • Always get a receipt for the payment
  • To be sure, check with your local authority’s Environmental Standards Department to get advice

Clearing up after a flood
The personal impact of a major emergency
Helping children affected by an emergency

Clearing up after a flood

• Remember that flood water can contain sewage, chemicals and/or animal waste always wear - waterproof outerwear, including gloves
• If you did not switch off your electricity supply at the mains, get a qualified person to do this – electricity and water can be very dangerous
• Shovel mud away evenly from both sides of the wall to stop the pressure building up on one side
• You can clean and disinfect your property using ordinary household products
• Dispose of any food that may have been contaminated
• A garden hose is useful for washing down. Do not use high pressure hoses as they can blast contaminated matter into the air

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The personal impact of a major emergency

• You will want to go back to a state of normality as quickly as possible. However, it is important to remember that ‘normality’ will now have to include the effects that the disaster has had on you, your family and community
• You may feel stressed and mentally affected by the emergency. Don’t feel that you have to cope without help, there are several agencies and groups within Dumfries and Galloway which can offer emotional support, such as: Samaritans, Victim Support and Cruse, whose numbers can be found in the local telephone book and support can be given through your GP
• Take special care of your children. They can be more affected than they show and reactions can be delayed. For more information on this go to Helping children affected by an emergency.
• The signs that someone, including yourself, needs help include:
  • Difficulty communicating thoughts
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Difficulty keeping balance
  • Easily frustrated
  • Easily flaring up
  • Increased use of alcohol/drugs
  • Limited attention span
  • Poor work performance
  • Headaches/stomach problems
  • Tunnel vision/muffled hearing
  • Cold or flu-like symptoms
  • Disorientation or confusion
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Reluctance to leave home
  • Depression, sadness
  • Feeling of hopelessness
  • Mood-swings and crying easily
  • Overwhelming guilt and self-doubt
  • Fear of crowds, strangers and being alone

(Reference: The British Red Cross leaflet: Coping with Personal Crisis)

To help minimise the impact of any future major emergencies in Dumfries and Galloway, make sure you are appropriately prepared – visit the How to be prepared page and look at some simple preparations you can make that will be useful for all emergencies

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Helping children affected by an emergency

Being involved in a major emergency can greatly affect children as well as yourself. As with all traumas, children can react in many different ways and it is important that they are given the support needed to get over a major emergency as best as possible. It is important to remember that:

• Children may have reactions very soon after the event, or have a delayed reaction, where they do not show worrisome behaviour until weeks later
• Keeping a normal household routine should help your child gain a feeling of normality
• Reassurance is the key to helping children. Very young children will need a lot of physical contact and cuddling as well as verbal support
• You should aim to answer children’s questions honestly, but do not dwell on frightening details or allow the subject to dominate family life
• If necessary, children should be encouraged to express emotions through conversation or drawing

Visit the emergency related Directgov website for more information on:

• How to spot the signs of an infant or child being under stress
• What you can do to deal with the after effects of a major incident
• Help and support organisations

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