Be prepared to cope if you have to stay away from work

During a pandemic, you may have to stay home from work, either because you are sick or to look after a family member.

Make a plan with family and friends to help with supplies if you cannot leave the house. Have their phone numbers handy, and include those of your doctor and pharmacy.

Have an emergency food supply to last at least a week.

Have a first-aid kit at home. You can buy these at chemists and supermarkets, or you can make up one yourself.

Learn first-aid so you can help out at home or with neighbours. Phone your local Red Cross or St John office for courses.

If you have prescription medicines, for ailments such as heart disease, blood pressure, asthma and diabetes, arrange for an extra supply to put in your emergency kit.

Make sure you have a radio and spare batteries so you can listen to news bulletins about the pandemic.

Make sure you have batteries for things such as hearing aids, the television remote control and games.

Have a supply of tissues, and plastic bags for disposing used ones. Antiseptic soap and hand-wash are essential for hygiene.

Try to stay a metre away from sick people to reduce the spread of germs.

Think about what you might do if housebound for more than a week. DVDs, books and games are all good standbys.

Emergency kit
* The Order of St John suggests the following as a minimum:
* Triangular bandages (2).
* Roller bandages, 50mm (1 roll) and 75mm (2 rolls).
* Sterile gauze, 7.5cm x 7.5cm (2).
* Adhesive wound dressing, 6cm wide x 1m long (1 strip).
* Plaster strip dressings, (1 packet).
* Adhesive tape, 25mm hypo-allergenic (1 roll).
* Sterile non-adhesive pads, small (2) and large (3).
* Sterile eye pad (1).
* Eye-wash container (1).
* Eye-wash solution, Saline Steritube 30ml (1).
* Antiseptic solution, Chlorhexidine Steritube 30ml (4).
* Safety pins (1 card).
* Scissors (1 pair).
* Splinter forceps (1 pair).
* Disposable gloves (2 pair).
* Accident register and pencil.
* First-aid manual.
* Card listing local emergency numbers.