John Kelly, in last Thursday’s Oxford Mail, started an important discussion about emergencies.

We all need to be safe, and it’s nice to know that different agencies are doing their best to ensure that.

But do we really need to depend on people’s professionalism or kindness? We need to be ready for emergencies ourselves.

We could wake up one day to find no electricity, public transport not working and shops closed. What would happen then?

Panicking doesn’t help anyone.

We need to know how to keep warm, how to deal with food, how to keep our dignity and how to keep smiling in difficult situations.

Lea Lukk Farm Close Road Wheatley