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.
