Keynsham Town Council has reassured residents following the distribution of an emergency preparedness postcard that some found alarming due to a phone number error. The council’s card encourages households to assemble a “grab-and-go bag” containing essentials to be ready for emergencies such as flooding, extreme weather, or power outages.
The information card, which includes a QR code to locate the nearest defibrillator and space to note important contacts, aims to promote calm and readiness rather than panic. Councillor Martin Burton, chair of the community resilience committee, emphasized the initiative’s purpose: “We hope residents take a few minutes to prepare and consider practical steps before an emergency arises. Proper planning can truly make a difference.”
However, the card mistakenly printed a disconnected phone number—previously assigned to a local plumber—instead of the council’s correct contact, 0117 986 8683. The council urges residents to use the correct number for inquiries about the nearest refuge points.
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Recommended items for the emergency bag include food, water, medication, a whistle, batteries, clothes, toiletries, phone chargers, a radio, a torch, a first aid kit, and an emergency plan. The council stresses that the card is not a response to an imminent threat but a tool to reduce stress and help residents be better prepared.
Keynsham residents have a historic reason to remain vigilant, recalling the devastating 1968 flood that caused significant loss of life and property damage. In line with its preparedness efforts, the council has increased the number of public defibrillators around town, acknowledging that quick access to these devices can save lives during cardiac emergencies, 70% of which happen at home.
In any emergency, residents should call 999 immediately.