Home > Kids > Kidnas

Kidnas

Hi, I’m Ernie Kidna – E. Kidna. I’m here to help you get ready and be prepared for hazards and emergencies.

1. A hazard is a threat that may become an emergency (natural hazards in Queensland can include cyclone, storm, bushfire, tsunami or flood).
2. An emergency is when a hazard causes danger by harming people, damaging property or the environment.)

It’s simple!

We’ve got games to share with you and fun ideas on how to Get Ready and Be Prepared for hazards and emergencies. 

You can find out about what can happen, play games with your family and friends to plan for hazards and emergencies and go on a scavenger hunt to make an Emergency Kit.

Then do the quiz and become a “Get Ready Kidna” like my sister Elly and I.

What can happen?

Get Ready Kidnas and be prepared for hazards and emergencies
Find out “What can happen” in your area.

The most important things you can do during an unexpected event are to stay calm and listen to the direction of adults around you, like your teachers or parents.

Cyclone and Storm Tide

• A cyclone is a severe tropical storm with an “eye”. Winds in a cyclone can blow more than 280 km/hr (that’s faster than your family car can go!).

• When cyclones come onto land, they can bring heavy rain, strong winds and large tides which can hurt people and damage property.

• You can track the cyclone by using this map. Visit the Bureau of Meteorology for information on cyclone tracking Bureau of Meteorology - Cyclones

• Cyclones can cause extra large waves (called storm tides or storm surge) near the beach area.

Safety tips

• If a cyclone is coming, stay inside and keep away from windows and doors
• Listen to the adults around you – especially your parents and teachers or to anyone in an emergency services uniform.
• Listen to your local radio station for information and instructions – remember to have a battery powered radio as well in case the electricity goes off.
• Check to make sure your pets are safe and secure so they don’t run away – like you they might be very frightened by the cyclone.

 
More Information
For more information click on these links
Bureau of Meteorology - Cyclones
Department of Emergency Services - Getting Prepared
Emergency Management Australia - Information for Schools

What is a Storm Tide or Storm Surge?

• A storm tide occurs when a cyclone pushes extra large waves up onto the beaches (sometimes these waves can be as tall as a house).

• These waves can cause the sea to flood roads and parks and even come into houses along the coast.

• If you live near the beach, you and your family should be prepared for storm tide by:

1. Knowing what hazards may happen in your area
2. Being prepared for emergencies – make a plan
3. Practising your plan

• If your area is about to be affected by a storm tide, you may need to evacuate. Find out what to pack in your EVACUATION KIT.

1. To evacuate means to move from a place where there is danger, to a safer place.
2. An evacuation kit is a collection of things that you will need to take with you if you need to evacuate

More Information
Bureau of Meteorology - Storm Surge Page

Severe Storms

• Severe storms can cause damage to your family home and property.  
• They can produce strong wind gusts, heavy rain, hail, thunder and lightning.
• Severe storms can happen at anytime.

 
Safety tips

• If a storm is coming, stay indoors and keep away from windows, doors and skylights
• Listen to the adults around you - especially your parents and teachers
• Listen to your local radio station for information and instructions – remember to have a battery powered radio in case the electricity goes off.
• Disconnect computers, televisions and other electronic appliances so that they don’t get damaged by lightning

Other tips to stay safe from lightning include:

• Stay out of baths/showers, Avoid metal surfaces (such as the kitchen sink)
• Avoid using fixed lined telephones during a storm.
• Check to make sure your pets are secure and safe so they don’t run away – remember the storm might frighten them!
•  

More Information
For more information click on these links
Bureau of Meteorology - Cyclones
Department of Emergency Services - Getting Prepared
Emergency Management Australia - Information for Schools

Heavy Rain and Wind

• Heavy rain usually happens when there is something called an “intense up-draught”.
• These up-draughts can happen anytime there is warm moist air about.
• They often happen very quickly with little warning time.
• The most severe rain usually occurs over a relatively small area.
• This severe rain means the water level in rivers, streams and drains can rise very quickly - this is called a flash flood.
•  
• Strong winds often occur with storms and can blow loose items around. These flying objects can hurt people and cause damage to cars and buildings.

Hail

• Hailstones form inside a thunderstorm when the raindrops freeze. Hailstones can be very small (smaller than a pea) but they can also be very large – hail larger than cricket balls has been recorded in Australia.
•  
• These large jagged pieces of ice can cause serious damage to cars and roofs or may even cause injuries to people and animals.

• Lightning and Thunder
• Lightning is a bolt of electricity (several hundred-million volts) which is created during storms.
• The amount of electricity in an average thunderstorm would be enough to power a small town (now that’s strong!).
• Sometimes this lightning can hit the ground, trees or buildings and cause severe damage to the buildings or injury to people.
• Thunder is the sound produced by the explosion of air when it is heated by the lightning – this can be to temperatures as high as 20,000 degrees Celsius (this is 2000 times hotter than your kitchen oven!)

Floods
About Flooding

• Flooding occurs when heavy rain falls in low-lying areas or when rivers overflow.
• Flash flooding happens when a storm moves slowly or has very heavy rain.
• A small area receives most of the rain and the drains and rivers in the area can’t cope with such a large amount of water.

Safety tips

• Stay away from floodwater – flood water is dangerous. You need to stay as far from it as you can.
• Stay away from drains, culverts and water over knee-deep, as moving water can easily sweep you off your feet and into danger.
• Flood water can make you very sick if it contains germs, chemicals or sewerage.
• Listen to the adults around you – especially your teachers and parents.
• Listen to your local radio station for information and instructions – remember to have a battery powered radio as well in case the electricity goes off.
• If your area is about to be affected by a flood, you may need to evacuate. Find out what to pack in your EVACUATION KIT.

More Information
For more information click on these links
Bureau of Meteorology - Flood Brochure
Department of Emergency Services - Getting Prepared

• Emergency Management Australia - Flooding

Bush Fire
What is a Bushfire

• A fire which is burning out of control in forest or bushland is called a bushfire.
• It may also be called a grassfire if it is burning on grass plains.
• Some places also call them a wildfire.
• Bushfires can destroy large numbers of homes and cause injury and deaths.
• They also have a major impact on plants and animals.
• Where the flames are burning can affect how fast the fire moves – but they can move very fast in the bush and over grass areas.
• Bushfires also cause burning embers – which can be leaves or twigs that set on fire and are blown ahead of the fire.
• These embers can cause new fires or ‘spot fires’ to occur.
• Bushfires usually produce smoke and heat which can be very strong – the heat of these fires can also make their own wind that causes the fire to move quicker and blow the embers.

 
Safety Tips

• If a bushfire is coming your way – stay indoors unless told to evacuate.
• Listen to your local radio station for information and instructions – remember to have a battery powered radio as well in case the electricity goes off.
• Listen to the adults around you – especially your teachers and parents.
• Close all the doors and windows to keep the smoke and heat out.
• Fill the bath tub and sinks with water and have buckets ready.
• Only go back outside if the bushfire has passed and it is declared safe again and always wear shoes.

More Information
For more information click on these links
Qld Fire & Rescue - Bushfire Safety
Rural Fire Service - Bushfire Safety

• Emergency Management Australia - School Activities Bushfires

Tsunami
What is a tsunami (sue-nah-me)

• A tsunami is a giant wave produced by underwater movement due to a variety of natural events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and meteorites.
• "Tsunami" is a Japanese word. Tsu means "harbor" and nami means "wave."
• A tsunami is different from a normal wave on the ocean. Normal ocean waves can move in the water from the surface down to 150 m deep, but a tsunami moves the water all the way to the seafloor.

Safety Tips

• Listen to your local radio station for information and instructions – remember to have a battery powered radio.

• If you hear a warning for a tsunami and it says to evacuate, immediately move to higher ground away from beaches and river bank areas..
• Wait at the safe place until the official “all clear” is announced.
• Stay out of the water. Even a small tsunami can cause strong and dangerous currents.

More Information
For more information, click the following links:
Bureau of Meteorology - Tsunami
Geoscience Australia - Tsunami

• Emergency Management Australia - School Activities Tsunami

Get Ready Kidnas – make a plan

Be prepared for hazards and emergencies Kidnas by putting your planning skills to good use. Here are some activities to do with your household to make sure everyone knows what to do and how to stay in touch with each other.

• Talk it out and make a plan

This activity will help you and your household learn how to get in touch with each other during an emergency.

• Find Hidden Treasures

Explore the Kidnas’ home to identify people and things to help with your Kidna Household Emergency Plan!

• Do a Word Search

Forward, backward, and upside down - important things are hidden everywhere! Can you find them all?

Remember, your household should have two meeting places: one near your home and one outside your neighbourhood in case you can't return to your home.

Family meeting to Talk it Out
It's important to plan ahead and be prepared so that during an emergency you know what to do and how to get in touch with other family members!

First, gather your household members (including your pets!) together for a quick household activity.

• Print out the Talk it out Activity (insert PDF link here to Talk it out activity).  It will help you make an emergency plan!

This page includes:

1. How would Kidnas keep in touch?
2. Where would Kidnas meet?
3. What to do if at school?
4. What about Kidna pets?

Then, talk about these questions and make a list of solutions. Use the tips provided as a guide! Then you can create your own plan for hazards and emergencies by printing out a copy of the Kidna Household Emergency plan template (insert link to pdf with template).

Before you know it you will be prepared with your plan that everyone can follow. And if an emergency does occur you can stay calm; listen to the direction of adults around you, like your teachers or parents and follow your plan.

Once you have a plan, remember to follow it! Always listen to the adults in charge and ask for help if you need it.

Hidden Treasures
Here are some things that you will find in your home that can help you in an emergency.

A phone can connect you to your family members and to emergency workers like Ambulance, Police, Fire Fighters and the State Emergency Service.

Parents / Guardians – keep our daytime phone numbers handy in case you are away from home during an emergency.

Radio – Storm and cyclones can cause the electricity to go out. How will you listen to the weather report and the news? Make sure you have spare batteries so this radio will work.

A computer can help you find out more about storms, cyclones, tsunami and floods and to track the movement of storms and cyclones.
Visit www.bom.gov.au for information on natural hazards and severe weather events.
A computer can help you let your friends and family know about your Kidna Household Emergency Plan and your emergency contact details.

Emergency Kit – Keep your Emergency Kit in a place that’s easy to get to during an emergency.

Door – it is important to know where all the exits are in your house or school in case you need to leave quickly.

Smoke Alarm – Working smoke alarms save lives. They will wake you and your family so you can escape. All houses in Queensland must have smoke alarms installed. It’s the law.

Photo of Uncle Eric or Aunt Edna – I am your out-of-state contact. You can call me in an emergency and let me know what’s happening. I can tell you who I’ve spoken to in your family.

Be Prepared
Get Ready Kidnas - you can get prepared for hazards and emergencies right now!

Here are some activities to share with your household to help you get ready by preparing an emergency kit, an evacuation kit and tips on how to prepare your home.

• Do a Scavenger Hunt

Go on a scavenger hunt around your home to find useful items for your emergency and evacuation kits.

• Prepared Home Checklist

Use this Checklist to see if your home is prepared

Does anyone in your family need special stuff like medicine, or do you have a little brother or sister who needs nappies? If so, don't forget to add these items to your kit.

Scavenger Hunt                   
You and your family can collect items for your emergency kit and evacuation kit by holding a family scavenger hunt!

Print two copies of the Emergency and Evacuation Kit List (insert link to pdf here). Then separate into two teams with adults and Kidnas on each team (if possible) and assign each group a different list of items. Set a timer and see who comes back first!

Don't forget to include extra batteries for your radio and torch in your emergency kit and evacuation kit.

Prepared Home Checklist                   
Printable page – Checklist for a ‘prepared home’ (insert link to PDF here)
You and your family can check out how well prepared your home is by using this checklist. 

Print out a copy of this Checklist and check out your home to see if you are prepared for emergencies!
When you are finished, talk about what you found with your family.

You should have at least one traditionally wired landline phone in your home, as cordless or mobile phones may not work in an emergency.

Are You Ready?
You have helped your household be prepared for emergencies. Together you discovered what could happen, made a plan and created your emergency and evacuation kits.

Now you can become a Get Ready Kidna like my sister Elly and I by taking this quiz.
Then, when you get all the answers right you can download and print out your Get Ready Kidna Certificate!

Quiz questions
You have helped your family be prepared for emergencies.
Together you found out what could happen, you talked about how to stay in touch with each other and made a plan, and you’ve made an emergency kit and an evacuation kit.

Now you can become a Get Ready Kidna like my sister Elly and I by taking this quiz.
Then, when you get all the answers right you can then download and print out your Get Ready Kidna Certificate!

• Question 1

What is NOT one of the four steps you can take to help your family be prepared for emergencies?

• Clean your room
• Be prepared and make an emergency kit
• Make a plan
• Know what can happen

Question 2

• What should a Household Plan for emergencies include?
• Information about how we would get in touch with each other during an emergency
• Where we would meet
• How we would remain in contact
• All of the above

Question 3

How much water should you have in your Emergency Kit?

• One small water bottle for each person
• Ten litres for whole family
• Ten litres of water per person for three days
• Ten litres of water for the family for three days

• Question 4

Which of the following is NOT an important part of an emergency kit?

• Torch and batteries
• Water
• Your collection of DVDs and computer games
• Food

• Question 5

In an emergency, what number should you phone?

• 911
• Triple ‘O’ (ooo)
• Triple Zero (000)
• 8921111

• Question 6

What is a tsunami?

• A severe tropical storm with an eye
• Ice that forms when raindrops freeze in a thunderstorm
• A fire burning out of control in forest or bushland
• A series of fast moving waves

• Question 7

In an emergency, what should you have available to hear news and official reports about what is occurring?

• Battery powered radio
• CD Player
• A board game
• DVD Player

Check your answers against the correct answers below.
Question 1 = Clean your room
Question 2 = All of the above
Question 3 = Ten litres of water per person for three days
Question 4 = Your collection of DVDs and computer games
Question 5 = Triple Zero (000)
Question 6 = A series of fast moving waves
Question 7 = Battery powered radio

Have you got all the correct answers?
Congratulations!
You have helped your family get prepared for emergencies. Together you found out what could happen, made a plan, got prepared and you know the facts
And, now you are a graduate of Get Ready Kidnas like my sister Elly and I.
Print out your own Get Ready Kidnas Certificate here  (include link to pdf here)

More Activities
Try out the following extra activities.

• Colouring in pages
• Kidnas and burrows game
• Talk it out activity
• Hidden treasures
• Word search
• Scavenger hunt
• Sort it out game
• Memory game
• Listen to SEWS (Standard Emergency Warning Signal)
• Prepared Kidna Home checklist

(do we include links to the pdf files for the above?)

Listen to the Standard Emergency Warning Signal
During major emergencies, Queenslanders will be alerted by the sound of the Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) on radio or television.
SEWS is a wailing siren sound used for various events such as cyclones, floods, severe storms and tsunami.
When you hear the signal, get your family to listen and pay careful attention to the message that follows and act immediately on the advice given. Listen to the adults around you – especially your parents and teachers or to anyone from the emergency services.

During an emergency, it might be easier to call someone out of town. Be sure to pick an out of town contact that all members of your family can call to let them know you are okay.

Contacts

In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) for Police, Ambulance or Fire & Rescue.

 Call 132 500 for your local State Emergency Service (SES) to assist with severe storms, floods and cyclone.

State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers are local people helping their communities prepare and respond to different types of disasters and emergencies including cyclones, floods and severe storms.

Contact your local council for more disaster information for your local area.

Links
Department of Emergency Services – www.emergency.qld.gov.au
Emergency Management Queensland – www.emergency.qld.gov.au/emq
State Emergency Service – www.emergency.qld.gov.au/ses
Local Government Association of Queensland - www.lgaq.asn.au/
Emergency Management Queensland – www.ema.gov.au
Bureau of Meteorology – www.bom.gov.au
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service – www.fire.qld.gov.au
Queensland Rural Fire Service – www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au
Queensland Ambulance Service – www.ambulance.qld.gov.au

Disclaimer
The Department of Emergency Services, Emergency Management Australia and the Australian Government make no representations about the suitability of the information contained in this document or any material related to this document for any purpose. The document is provided ‘as is’ without warranty of any kind to the extent permitted by law. The Department of Emergency Services, Emergency Management Australia and the Australian Government hereby disclaim all warranties and conditions with regard to this information, including all implied warranties and conditions of merchantability, fitness for particular purpose, title and non-infringement. In no event shall the Department of Emergency Services, Emergency Management Australia or the Australian Government be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages or any damages whatsoever resulting fro m the loss of use, data or profits, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tortuous action, arising out of or in connection with the use of information available in this document. This document or material related to this document could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors.

Back to top