Every home should have an emergency plan. Having a plan could save your life or the lives of others. This will provide you with suggestions for making a bushfire plan and a flood plan, but there are other types of emergencies that you may need to be prepared for.

Things to Consider

• Do you live in a bushfire or flood prone area (this will determine what type of plan you will need to develop)?
• Discuss the plan with all members of your household. Make sure you consider all situations, for example, when you’re at work, the weekends, when you have visitors, etc.
• Prepare an emergency kit.
• Make sure your home, business or property is adequately insured and the cover is up to date (building and contents). Make sure you understand what is covered under certain circumstances.
• Can you stay with family or friends if your home is inaccessible or damaged?
• Plan what to do if your children are at home alone when an emergency happens.
• Plan what you will do with your pets in the event of an emergency.
• Store important documents (birth certificates and wills), photographs and valuables, etc. in a safe place so they will not be destroyed.
• Do you have a list of emergency contacts ready, including family, friends, doctor and vet?
• Write down your emergency plan and make sure everyone knows what your plan is in the event of an emergency. If you live on your own, tell a friend or family member what your plan is. If you live with others make sure you all agree to the plan and everyone is clear about their responsibilities.
• Practice your emergency plan - this will reduce the amount of stress and panic you may experience in an emergency and you can make changes before the emergency. Visit the Emergency Management Australia website for more information.

For information about developing a bushfire plan, visit the Country Fire Authority (CFA) website, or for more information about developing a flood plan, visit the SES website.

All households should have an emergency kit prepared to help your family in an emergency.

Recommended items include:

• A torch with spare batteries, candles and waterproof matches
• A battery operated radio with spare batteries
• A mobile phone, spare battery and charger
• Change of clothing for each family member (wind and waterproof clothing, sun hats, sun screen, leather gloves, etc)
• Strong outdoor shoes or boots for each family member
• First aid kit including sunscreen and essential medication and toiletries
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Pet supplies
• Toilet paper and large rubbish bags for your emergency toilet
• Face and dust masks
• Books, playing cards and games
• Credit cards, ATM cards and cash
• Spare house keys and car keys.

Food and water for at least three days, including:

• Non-perishable food (canned or dried)
• Bottled water (at least three litres per person per day for drinking)
• Plan how to get water for washing and cooking (check your hot water service, pond and toilet cistern if it is free of chemicals)
• A primus or gas barbecue to cook on with spare gas cylinders
• A can opener and other utensils.

If you have a baby or young children:

• Food, formula and drink
• Change of clothing and nappies
• Toys or favourite activity.

It is recommended that you check the items in your emergency kit every year, and replace expired items with fresh items. Keep your emergency kit somewhere easy to locate in case of an emergency. Make sure that other members of your household know where the emergency kit is stored.

In the event of an emergency, emergency service vehicles need to be able to locate your property easily and quickly; and your house number needs to be clearly visible from the road.

Some guidelines for displaying house numbers include:

• Minimum height for house numbers is 75mm
• Use plain, legible numbers from white or yellow reflective material
• Display the numbers on the front of your letterbox
• Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed around your letterbox
• If you live in a unit or flat make sure your house number is located on the wall next to your front door.

If you have pets or other animals, it is your responsibility to ensure their safety during an emergency.

Some things to consider include:

• Emergency contact numbers (local vet, RSPCA and local animal shelter)
• Appropriate identification (name tags or microchipping)
• Secure portable carry cage and leads
• Non-perishable food and water.