GET
READY WEEK - October 14-20, 2013
Get
Ready Queensland is a Queensland Government initiative about building our
resilience to deal with the extreme weather and natural disasters that are a
part of living in our state. It's aim is to make Queensland Australia’s most
disaster resilient state.
Resilience
is about more than just good preparation or effective responding: it needs a
mindset that accepts extreme weather is a part of living in Queensland, and
prepares to handle it accordingly.
STEP 1 – PREPARE YOUR
EMERGENCY PLAN
Take the time NOW to prepare an
Emergency Plan. It is an important step to prepare for what can happen and to
stay safe.
Develop your Emergency Plan with the entire household
and talk about:
Whether you live in a flood prone area
or, your home is at risk from storms - what would you do?
If you're separated when a disaster
happens (at work or school etc.), how will you stay in touch and where will you
meet up.
Where would you go if you need to
evacuate your household?
Compiling a list of emergency contact
phone numbers.
If anyone in your family, household or
neighbourhood has specific medical conditions or special needs and will need
assistance:
include specific items in your
Emergency Kit to assist people with communication or mobility difficulty
arrange to notify anyone with a hearing
impairment of emergency warnings and other key information
arrange to assist anyone with a sight
impairment or mobility difficulty if evacuation is required.
Whether you need to make plans for your
pets?
STEP 2 – PREPARE YOUR
EMERGENCY KIT
For many emergencies, you may be able
to shelter in place, either at home or at work. In this situation you will need
to rely on items you've included in your Emergency Kit.
Include items you'd need for at least
three days in case of disruption to essential services such as power and water
supplies. Also, include the equipment you'll need to prepare meals with no
power.
Keep your kit in a waterproof storage
container and store in an easy to access location. Check your kit every three
months to stock up and rotate supplies to ensure provisions are fresh and safe
to use.
CHECKLIST
Fresh water for 3 days
3 days’ worth of non-perishable food and can opener
First aid kit
Portable radio
Torch
Sturdy gloves
Spare batteries for radio, torch and mobile phone
Essential medication
Mobile phone and charger
Important documents in sealed bag and cash
Baby formula and nappies
Waterproof bags
Toiletries
OTHER EMERGENCY SUPPLIES TO HAVE AT HOME
Basic toolkit
Extra supplies
Camp-oven or gas-burner
STEP 3 – PREPARE YOUR
HOME
GENERAL
HOME MAINTENANCE
Keep your roof in good condition and check it regularly
Keep gutters and downpipes clear so water can drain away quickly
Trim trees and overhanging branches close to the house (be aware
of any overhead powerlines)
Check and fix any corrosion, rotten timber, termite infestations
and loose fittings.
GENERAL
HOME PREPARATIONS
Ensure your home, contents and car insurance is current and
adequate. Check your policy includes debris clean up and removal
Identify your strongest room to shelter in place during severe
storm
Identify where and how to turn off the main supply for water,
power and gas
Have items on hand such as water storage containers, spare fuel
for your vehicle (ensure you store it safely), camp stove and fuel for cooking
without power etc.
For
further information and “Get Ready Queensland” fact Sheets
Emergency
Plans
Prepare
Evacuation Plans
Emergency
Kits
Prepare
Your Home
Tune into
Warnings
Check
Your Neighbours
Pet
Emergency Plans
