Emergency kit checklist

To prepare ahead make sure you have the following emergency kit items stored in a waterproof box in an easy access location:

Food, water and essential supplies

During and after an emergency you may need to stay in your home and there may be power outages and road closures. As a minimum, you should have the following supplies at all times in an emergency kit:

• 3 litres of bottled water for each person
• Non-perishable food, such as canned food
• Can opener
• Any prescriptions and medications you or your family need to take
• Items for babies (e.g. formula, food, nappies)
• Items for elderly members of your household (e.g. mobility aids, hearing aids)
• Items for members of your household with special needs (e.g. mobility aids, insulin pumps etc)
• Items for pets (e.g. food, water, litter or newspapers, lead, carry cage, blanket and any medications)
• Camping plates, cups and cutlery
• Camping stove or gas cooking equipment
• Water purification tablets
• Toilet paper
• Insect repellent
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Soap
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent.

First aid kit

You should be able to buy a first aid kit with what you need from your local pharmacy. It should include:

• Plasters in a variety of sizes
• Gauze dressings
• Sterile eye dressings
• Antiseptic spray
• Safety pins
• Tweezers
• Disposable gloves.

Communications

• Battery operated radio
• Battery operated torch
• Extra batteries for radio and torch
• Copy of your emergency plan
• Fully charged mobile phone and charger or phone card
• List of emergency contact numbers
• Pen and paper.

Important documents and items

Keep all important documents in a sealed bag in a safe which you can easily access.

• Passport, birth and marriage certificates
• House, life, health, car and boat insurances
• Copies of Medicare, pension or personal identification cards
• Wills
• Inventory of valuable household goods
• A back up copy of important computer files
• Important documents scanned on USB (memory stick).

Clothing for each person

Store in plastic sealed bags

• Strong closed toed shoes or boots
• Warm protective clothing such as jumper, waterproof jacket and hat
• Garden and rubber gloves
• Safety glasses and sun glasses.

Tools and supplies

• Plastic garbage bags
• Utility knife
• Masking or duct tape for windows
• Basic tool kit such as a wrench to turn off all utilities
• Wool or thermal blankets and bedding
• Whistle
• Tent or a tarpaulin.

Items to help you evacuate quickly

You may need to leave your home quickly if you are in a flood-prone area. In this situation you will want to have your emergency kit ready in advance and have access to your:

• Car and car keys
• Fuel
• Cash, credit and or debit cards
• Mobile phone and charger.

Prepare your Emergency Plan

Make sure you follow these important steps to prepare ahead of emergencies:

• Keep your emergency kit in a safe and accessible place
• Check emergency kit on a regular basis and replace expired or out-of-date items
• Discuss what to do in an emergency with household members so everyone knows the plan in advance
• Record important details such emergency numbers, two meeting spots (in case you’re unable to get to the first spot) , medications, pet details, household mobile numbers, insurance providers, and family contact details
• Include books and games for children.

Check insurance

Make sure your home and contents insurance is up-to-date and in particular that the sum-insured amount is enough. It’s also a good idea to make sure you have your insurer’s details handy and know how to contact them should you need to in a hurry.