Emergency Kits
Emergency Contact Numbers
Prepare an easy to access list of emergency contact numbers – two handy places to put your list is next to the phone, or magnet it to your fridge. You may also choose to put a copy in your emergency kit.
Your list should include numbers for ambulance and fire (Triple Zero - 000), local Council, State Emergency Service, your gas/electricity company, and friends and relatives who you may need to contact in an emergency.
Contents
One of the most important things you can do is to put together an emergency kit. The emergency kit is a collection of items that you will need in case of emergencies like storms, floods and cyclones.
Your kit should be kept in a sturdy, easy to carry bag or storage box.
Items that should be in your emergency kit at all times
- Battery operated radio (with spare batteries);
- Torch (with spare batteries);
- Candles and waterproof matches;
- First aid kit and manual;
- Strong plastic bags for clothing and other items;
- A waterproof bag for valuables and mementoes;
- Copies of important family documents such as:
- Insurance papers for your car, your house and contents or other valuables
- Wills
- House deeds
- Your mortgage documents
- Birth certificates
- Passports, stocks and bonds
- Medicare and pension cards
- Immunisation records
- An inventory of valuable household goods
- Bank account and credit card details
- Extra car and house keys
- List of emergency contact numbers
Items to put in your emergency kit when emergencies are predicted
You will need to include other items in your emergency kit when floods, storms, cyclones and other emergencies are predicted. These items will include:
- Medications, toiletry and sanitary supplies;
- Special needs for infants, the aged and people with disabilities;
- Spare clothes and sleeping equipment, including strong shoes, broad brimmed hat, leather gloves and sunscreen for each household member;
- A mobile phone, spare battery and charger;
- Spare cash in case you cannot access banks;
- Food and water supplies; and
- Basic provisions for your pets (for example, veterinary papers, food/water supplies, collars with identification tag, carrier or harness, sturdy leash, medication, name and number of veterinarian, litter pan and scooper, pet beds and toys).
If the event is likely to be severe, and power/water/gas outages likely, you should also try to have the following at hand:
- a quantity of clean water in a sealed container and enough easily prepared packaged food to last for three days;
- barbeque or portable stove with fuel;
- duct or other wide tape and a sheet of plastic to seal doors and windows, scissors, and a combination pocket knife; and a
- fire extinguisher
Last updated 14 July 2006
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