In a major effort to prepare its citizens to face emergencies like terrorist attacks, Britain will supply all its 25 million households with a public information booklet giving practical tips and advice on facing a range of crises including accidents and fires.
The booklet titled Preparing for Emergencies: What You Need To Know, is a common-sense, practical guide on prevention and planning for situations including terrorist attacks and major accidents like fire and floods.
It contains details on detoxification after a chemical, biological or radiological attack, basic first aid and guidance on how to prevent a terror strike.
Written jointly by the government and a wide range of experts including emergency services, British intelligence service MI5, the Chief Medical Officer and the Emergency Planning Society, the booklet has been developed following extensive research into what sort of advice the public would find useful, an official announcement said.
"This is not in response to any specific or heightened threat to the UK but it is clear there has been an increasing wish from the public to have this information and advice drawn together and made easily available," Home Secretary David Blunkett said in a statement.
The 22-page guide, which will be delivered to every home in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland over the next few weeks includes advice on 'What to do in an emergency', 'Coping with specific emergencies', 'Basic first aid' and 'How to prepare for an emergency'.