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| • Government booklet "Preparing for Emergencies" which will be delivered to every home in United Kingdom throughout August. |
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The government will issue a public information leaflet designed to tell people what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.
The Home Secretary David Blunkett said he did not want to raise unnecessary fears but the government wanted people to be "alert not alarmed" about possible terrorist threats.
"It (the leaflet) is all about helping you to do what you need to do and know what you need to know," he said.
"This could be from a terrorism attack all the way through to a major fire, to a flood, to a situation where you're actually trying to help other people."
The 22-page booklet was launched at a news conference this morning, and has first aid advice, contact numbers and practical tips such as keeping supplies of tinned food, bottled water and batteries, a series of radio and television adverts also begins today, Monday (26 th July 2004).
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| • Keep a good stock of tinned food, bottled water, petfood, batteries for your radio and candles or a torch |
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He said it had the backing of all Britain 's main political parties and had been modelled on a similar document produced by the Australian government for its citizens.
A spokeswoman for the Home Office said 25 million copies of the leaflet would be printed and distributed to every household in the country at a cost of £8.3 million.
"They will be dropped though letterboxes across the country during August," she added.
She stressed the booklet had not been produced because of any enhanced or specific threat but in response to research showing citizens wanted straightforward and easily accessible information about what to do in emergencies.
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| • The Home Secretary David Blunkett |
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David Blunkett said “the government could not guarantee "100 per cent safety" from terrorism but Britain 's security services were always working to try to prevent attacks” he added "We need to go about our daily lives".
"Obviously we can pick up the pieces afterwards, but actually stopping them doing it ... is absolutely crucial," he said.
The booklet also gives advice such as "Go in, stay in and tune in" - encouraging people to head indoors, stay there, listen to the radio or television for further information.
Conservative shadow home security minister Patrick Mercer said he was delighted the government has decided to follow his party's advice.
"This is a sensible measure, but it has taken the government a very long time to do as we asked.
"Next, we want to see the government start public training to back up this information," he added.
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