WILTSHIRE County Council has prepared a guide on how to get equipped for household emergencies.

The guide covers everything from structural damage caused by accidents and storms to actions in the event of a flood or evacuation.

It also suggests that people keep a small emergency pack they can locate even in the dark.

The pack should contain a torch, battery-powered radio, candles, matches and a gas stove.

The guide is designed to be a tool for people in which to keep details of contact names and emergency telephone numbers they might need during an incident.

This could include the numbers of agencies such as gas suppliers, plumbers, doctors and insurance companies.

Emergency planning officer, John Edwards said: "In recent years we have seen a number of natural and man made disasters.

"This simple guide aims to help people cope with the unexpected and help emergency services in dealing quickly and efficiently with major emergencies."

The guide is available at county libraries.