While making your community and household emergency plans to prepare for winter, there is a lot of information available to help you keep safe and well during emergency situations and bad weather.
Ready Scotland - preparing for and dealing with emergencies
The Ready Scotland website is provided by the Scottish Government to help you prepare for and deal with emergencies, and has lots of useful information and advice for individuals, businesses and communities.
British Red Cross guidance on preparing for emergencies
The British Red Cross have a section on their website on preparing for emergencies, which gives you advice on subjects such as being ready for winter, first aid, thunderstorms and blackouts, and much more.
Free first aid app for your smartphone
The free Red Cross app (available on iTunes, Google Play and Blackberry App World) features simple, easy advice on 18 everyday first aid scenarios, and gives you simple skills to deal with sprains and strains, broken bones, unconscious casualties and more. The app also gives tips on how to prepare for emergencies, from severe weather to road traffic accidents.
Candle and tea light safety
During a power cut, it is common to use candles and tea lights, and Scottish Fire and Rescue have put together guidance on using candles and tea lights to help make sure you stay safe.
Staying warm and well this winter
Age UK's Spread the Warmth campaign provides information, advice and practical services to keep older people warm and well during the winter months.
Advice on power cuts
The main electricity provider in Argyll and Bute is Scottish and Southern Energy, and in the case of an emergency or a power cut, you can call them on 0800 300 999. They provide advice on their website on what to do if your power goes off.
If your supplier is Scottish Power, contact SP Energy Networks on 0845 27 27 999 or visit their website for help and advice
Priority services for customers with special needs during power cuts
Scottish and Southern Energy Network (SSEN) keep a Priority Services Register so they can contact their most vulnerable customers during a power cut - for example people who are dependent on medical equipment, chronically sick or disabled. You can find out more about this service, and how to register on the Priority Services Register section on the SSE website.
Scottish Water's advice on looking after your pipes in the winter
There is information and advice on the Scottish Water website on looking after your pipes in the winter, insulating your water tank, and helping to prevent burst or frozen pipes.