What to do in a terror attack

[howtorebuild]

Trying to help someone on a thread in Paris, any advice?

From advice I was given flying, be the grey man, I'd say. Head down, don't catch anyone's eye, no eye contact.

For someone at home, close the windows and lock, pull curtains/blinds, lock all doors, and stay away from windows. Listen to the radio/tv, and try and establish where other family members and loved ones are. I'd be stashing water too.

Get home ASAP with as many family members as possible. Lock doors, pull blinds, low/no light. Try to keep informed with new updates. Pass the time with books/sleep & keep as calm as feasibly possible.

I was thinking of starting this.

We're in Paris. School have texted to say activities cancelled tomorrow and to wait for information for Monday.

I'm stupidly googling instead of sleeping.

Wondering whether to do weekly shop tomorrow.

Desperately hoping none of my friends or colleagues were killed.

Think I'll double check OFRS tomorrow too

Did you get any sleep?

No...
My mind was spinning then DS2 was sick at 4am so I've been up since then.

It's freakishly quiet outside. We're staying in as advised for children.

With children; familiar food, calm atmosphere, DVDs/games not TV.
If you think you are going to be evacuated, pack a bugout bag for everyone.
Not too much, you need to be able to carry it as well as any young children if necessary.

They are trying to hijack planes, gun man stopped at Gatwick.

DH works in London CBD for a bank. We had close family members survive the 9/11 attacks, we've agreed that in the event of a terrorist attack he stays on foot, avoids public transport and large groups. We expect mobile networks would be down, making communication hard, he will walk out of the CBD, towards a family members place. Once there he'd get in touch with me if he hadn't been able to use his mobile already.

' They are trying to hijack planes, gun man stopped at Gatwick.'

That's a huge jump into wild speculation, wait for the facts.

I think a terminal at Gatwick has been evacuated due to a suspect package; certainly no news media are reporting a gunman or any attempts to hijack planes.

Sorry, I jumped to conclusions. The Isis statement scared the carp out of me.

Someone did post a gunman was stopped at Gatwick, though.

The DM is reporting a gun at Gatwick, no one else is at the moment I can find.

Thankfully you would have to be unlucky to get caught up directly in something like this, but it is more likely to get caught up in the aftermath if you live / work in the affected area.

It pays to talk to younger family members about safe rendezvous points if mobile phones are down for any reason.

Report unattended bags too.

This page has quite sensible advice.

www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/terrorism

This is the Metropolitan Police page. Lots of advice about reporting suspicious activity online.

content.met.police.uk/Site/terrorism

Since the attacks in London I've been a lot more aware of basic safety measures like knowing where the emergency exits are in public buildings and doing a quick 'how would I get us out' mental plan. As an example, I took the DC to a packed public fireworks display and did a quick scan of likely crush points and decided on our exit route to avoid them. It took all of 30 seconds so it's not something I spend ages fretting over.

I do that too & it doesn't take long (but I may have watched too much Mission Impossible). It helps pass the time while you wait for an event to start.

I was in an evacuation at a theatre once and it was amzing how people crowded for the main door when there were easy side exits.

I hope you and your dc's are feeling better this morning ISpidersman. Horrible for you.

They get security alerts at airports much more often than is ever reported. Because suspect packages are all checked, and the area around them evacuated.

So one bit of advice is that if it happens when you're there is to follow instructions, go to the safe area (if possible get the other side of a lift shaft and that's one of the strongest parts of a building). Not, as I witnessed several years ago, argue the toss with airport staff on the basis that you've only just found a free seat and got the chance to sit down and you're not moving just coz they say so.

The MI5 website has good advice on travel / other issues.

www.mi5.gov.uk/home/what-you-can-do.html

They are trying to hijack planes
What a bloody stupid thing to say, trying to whip people into a frenzy of terror and panic.
FFS.

No I wasn't, you are delighted you have reason to have quite go though.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3318312/Gatwick-North-Terminal-evacuated-armed-police-arrest-man-grenade-bag.html

These people are ruthless. I would play dead.