EVERY household in Great Britain is to receive a booklet which includes details of how to respond to a terrorist attack.

Entitled Preparing for Emergencies what you need to know, the 22-page booklet will provide guidance on prevention and planning for situations including major accidents and terror strikes.

But the Government said the publication was not a reaction to any specific terrorist threat and the public need not be alarmed.

Written jointly by the Government and a wide range of experts including the emergency services, MI5, the Chief Medical Officer and the Emergency Planning Society, the booklet, which will be delivered to all 25 million homes this month, covers several areas, including:

  • What to do in an emergency
  • Coping with specific emergencies
  • Basic first aid
  • How to prepare for an emergency
  • How you can help prevent a terrorist attack.

It also gives examples of the steps that have been taken by government and the blue light services to protect the UK and ensure it is in the best possible position to react and respond to a range of possible emergencies, including acts of terrorism.

Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "We have significantly increased the information we have made available to the public over the past three years, particularly through the Home Office, UK Resilience and MI5 websites. This booklet reflects another stage in that process of keeping people informed.

"Public safety and security is the number one concern for government. 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."

Debbie Spargo, Chief Executive of the Emergency Planning Society, said: "The Emergency Planning Society believes that this booklet provides valuable and common sense advice for the public that can easily be adapted for use in many domestic situations. The fact that every home will have this advice can only be a good thing."

For more information, and to download an early copy of the booklet, visit www.preparingforemergencies.gov.uk