Get Home ready

If anything, do these 3 simple things to make sure you're ready

Step 1

Create a household emergency plan

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A household emergency plan will help protect what matters most - you, your loved ones and your pets. It includes knowing the best way to leave your home in an emergency, where to meet and how to contact one another if separated.

  1. List the household members and their contact number
  2. Decide where you will meet following an emergency situation List the name and contact details for someone outside the area who you can all check in with if you can't meet up
  3. Draw a plan of the house showing escape routes and places you can shelter during a storm or earthquake
  4. Detail how to turn off water, electricity and gas if required

Congratulations!

You have an emergency plan for your house.
Keep it in a place where it is visible to all household members. 

Make an online household emergency plan here! 

Step 2

Assemble and maintain emergency items

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Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a preparedness pro, gathering your emergency supplies is easy. A good rule of thumb is to have supplies for about 3 days. You’ll be surprised at how much you already have.

Many emergency or disaster situations could leave you and your loved ones stranded at home for days. Keep a supply of the following items in your house:

Essential

Water

First aid kit

Torch and Radio

Blankets or sleeping bags

Non-perishable (canned or dried) food

Useful

Personal

Following a disaster you may need to leave your home with no advance warning and you may not be able to return. It is useful to know what essential documents and personal items you will need to take with you and where to find them quickly:

  • Documentation and identification such as insurance policies, passports, drivers licenses, mortgage documents
  • Mobility aids and hearing aids with spare batteries
  • Extra supplies of any special dietary requirements
  • Pet supplies
  • Precious family photos

If you would like to be even more prepared check out the Go a step further section below.

If you need to evacuate your home, you may not have much time to prepare so it's worth putting together a getaway kit and keeping it in a handy place. You'll want to tailor this to your household's specific needs, but consider including:

  • Torch and radio with spare batteries
  • Any special needs such as hearing aids and spare batteries, glasses or mobility aids
  • Emergency water and easy-to-carry food rations such as energy bars and dried foods in case there are delays in reaching a civil defence centre or a place where you might find support. If you have any special dietary requirements, ensure you have extra supplies
  • First aid kit and essential medicines
  • Essential items for infants or young children such as formula and food, nappies and a favourite toy
  • Change of clothes (wind/waterproof clothing and strong outdoor shoes)
  • Toiletries – toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, hand sanitiser, sanitary items, toilet paper
  • Phone charger and essential contact numbers
  • Blankets or sleeping bags
  • Face and dust masks
  • Pet supplies

Include important documents in your getaway kit: identification (birth and marriage certificates, driver’s licences and passports), financial documents (e.g. insurance policies and mortgage information), and precious family photos. You may want to save scans of your documents onto a memory stick or save them in the cloud.

Step 3

Get connected

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In an emergency or disaster situation you'll need to know how to get information and how to connect with people around you in your community. Now is a good time to connect so you'll be ready if a disaster situation occurs.

  1. Connect with your local Civil Defence:

    -  Follow Civil Defence on Facebook and Twitter
    -  Learn what radio stations Civil Defence will broadcast through in your area in a disaster situation

  2. Connect with your neighbours

    -  Share contact details with your neighbours so you can contact one another if an emergency occurs
    -  Tell your neighbours about your emergency plan and ask about their plans
    -  Find out who amongst your neighbours may be able to help you or may need your help in a disaster
    -  Contact Neighbourhood Support to find out if a network exists in your neighbourhood

  3. Connect with your community

    -  Create a network with at least 3 other people where you all let each each other know that a Civil Defence alert is issued
    -  Join a local online community through sites like Facebook or Twitter. If one doesn't exist for your area, consider creating one
    -  Check out the community section for more information

Be prepared for an evacuation

  • Take your Getaway Kit
  • Turn off electricity and water
  • Turn off gas only if you suspect a leak or informed by authorities
  • Take your pets with you

Go a step further

Prepare your home

You can help reduce the effects of disaster on you and your property by taking the following actions:

  • Securing heavy items of furniture to the floor or wall
  • Store loose items (dinnerware, crockery, and kitchenware) securely
  • Removing or securing objects that may fall and cause damage such as wardrobes, bookcases, appliances or ornaments
  • Store household products and chemicals safely to reduce risk of spillage
  • Get a builder to check the structural soundness of your home
  • If you see signs of ground movement get the grounds checked by a civil engineer

When the power goes out remember - Fridge first

  • Plan to use fresh food first then refrigerated and frozen foods. Use tinned and dry foods last

  • Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.

  • How do you know if it is safe to eat?  Once food reaches the temperature of 5 degrees Celsius or above for more than 2 hours it greatly increases the risk of growth by microorganisms that can cause illness.  Do not use frozen food that has thawed or refrigerated food that has warmed up.  The only exceptions to this are butter/margarine, hard cheeses, raw eggs (still in eggshells), fruit and vegetables.  The rule of thumb is “if in doubt, throw it out”.

 

Frozen meat and fish Still contains ice crystals.  Kept under 5 degrees C Thawed, held above 5 degrees C for over 2 hours
Meat Refreeze or immediately use Throw out
Chicken  Refreeze or immediately use Throw out
Casseroles, stews, soups, pizza, sausage rolls Refreeze or immediately use Throw out
Fish or shellfish   Refreeze or immediately use Throw out

 

 

Frozen dairy products Still contains ice crystals.  Kept under 5 degrees C Thawed, held above 5 degrees C for over 2 hours
Ice cream Throw out Throw out
Frozen yoghurt Throw out Throw out
Milk Refreeze or immediately use Throw out

 

 

Frozen baked products Still contains ice crystals.  Kept under 5 degrees C Thawed, held above 5 degrees C for over 2 hours
Bread Refreeze or use Throw out if above 10 degrees C for over 8 hours
Muffins and cakes (no custard filling)   Refreeze or use Throw out if above 10 degrees C for over 8 hours
Cakes, pies, pastries with custard filling, cheesecake Refreeze or immediately use Throw out

 

 

Frozen fruit and vegetables Still contains ice crystals.  Kept under 5 degrees C Thawed, held above 5 degrees C for over 2 hours
Fruit Refreeze or use Refreeze.  Throw out if mould, yeasty smell or sliminess develops.
Vegetables Refreeze or use Throw out if above 10 degrees C for over 8 hours

 

Plan for your pets

Pets are members of our families too so don't forget to prepare for them. Here are some tips to ensure you'll be able to look after your pets during an emergency.

  • Arrange for a neighbour to check on your pets in case an emergency situation occurs when you are not home
  • Keep pet tags up to date
  • Consider having your pets micro chipped. This will make it easier to trace them if they go missing
  • Include your pets in your emergency plan. Basic pet supplies to keep in your Getaway Kit should include leashes, food, and safe drinking water for at least 3 days.
  • Blankets and a carry case for each animal with your contact details attached.

 

Check out your community plan

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