With the slogan "Go in, Stay in, Tune in," the British government launched a public information leaflet today telling the public what to do in the case of a terror attack.
"At the moment we don't feel there is an imminent threat but we do have to be on our guard," said British Home Office Minister Ms Caroline Flint.
British Home Office Minister Ms Caroline Flint
A copy of the 22-page leaflet "Preparing For Emergencies: What You Need To Know" is being sent to every home in Britain during August at a cost of £8.3 million.
The leaflet, which includes a guide to basic first aid, advises people to stock up on bottled water and tinned food in case they have to stay in their home for several days.
It said that in most emergencies, the best advice was to go inside a safe building, stay inside until told to do otherwise and tune in to local radio or television for more information.
"This leaflet is not about a specific threat. It's about the sort of emergencies that might happen up and down the country, from a major fire to a chemical explosion in a factory," said Ms Flint.
Mr Chris Fox, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said people had become used to being able to get basics at any time and needed to be prepared even for common emergencies like flooding or getting snowed in.
"We've got used to convenience. Access to money, petrol, food, 24-hours a day," Mr Fox said. "The previous generation were used to things being less predictable."
Britain's top policeman, Sir John Stevens, has said a terror attack sooner or later is inevitable, but London property manager Mr David McCrory, for one, admitted he was not prepared.
"I wouldn't know what to do in an emergency," the 40-year-old told Reuters. "People don't know where their nearest shelter or clean water tap is."
Mr Paul Martin applauded the leaflet campaign. "I think it's a good thing, especially the first aid advice for things like burns," said the 36-year-old sound engineer from London.
"But with a chemical attack, what can you do?"