10 ways to prepare for an emergency or disaster
Being prepared for a crisis can mean the difference between loss and survival.
From disasters to catastrophic accidents, terrorist attacks and pandemics, emergencies and disasters fill our world now more than ever.
We might find it uncomfortable to consider being in an emergency situation. However, ignoring the possibility can increase the risk of potential disaster. There’s no benefit in ignoring risks and hoping you can figure things out when disaster strikes. But there are plenty of benefits to emergency preparedness.
By removing as many unknown variables as possible, we can reduce panic and save time in an emergency.
Here are 10 actions you can take to reduce risks in a disaster and make recovering from one more manageable.
Make your plan fit
You should create a household preparedness plan based on the needs of the people and animals you are responsible for. Consider the difficulties that children, seniors, non-English speakers, and people with disabilities might face during an emergency. Determine how to accommodate them as you attempt to move to safety. There are tools that can help you create a plan such as the Get Prepared App from Australia Red Cross.
Research past and potential hazards for your area
Increase your awareness of threats specific to where you live. Also, identify the emergency resources that are available within your community. This information is often on your local council website.
Identify meeting places
Organise meeting points for yourself and loved ones in the case of an emergency. Depending on the emergency or disaster this might be somewhere near your home or a location further away. Be sure everyone who is a part of your emergency plan (especially children) know exactly where these locations are. Organising meeting places will help you reconnect should normal lines of communication like internet connectivity and mobile phone services fail.
Make a list of emergency contacts
This one sounds like a no-brainer. Your emergency contact list should have a loved one or trusted friend who lives beyond your geographical region. They should be able to send help and share breaking information as they’ll likely be outside the emergency zone.
Check smoke alarms
Whether your smoke alarms are hardwired or battery-operated check them regularly. Press and hold the test button for at least five seconds until you hear the beeps.
Identify evacuation routes
Map out the quickest paths of exit from your home, neighbourhood, and community. Once you’ve established the most direct paths, also determine alternate routes. Remember, if you’re trying to evacuate your neighbourhood, then everyone else probably is too. Your alternate routes may help to avoid bottlenecks and congestion.
Know the locations of utility shut-offs
Locate your house’s gas, water and electrical meters. Learn how to turn them off in the case of an emergency. Gas leaks, electrical fires, and flooding from broken pipes can cause additional harm during and after a disaster.
Know the emergency policies of your children’s school
Contact your children’s school and find out their emergency protocols (these may even be found on the school’s website). Make sure to ask, which emergency shelters are a part of their plans. What communication resources they rely on. How they plan to reunite you with your child in an emergency.
What to do in the event of an earthquake
With the threat of larger-scale earthquakes becoming more of a reality in Australia, it’s important to follow professional advice. Stay calm, watch for hazards and help others if possible. If an earthquake strikes and you are indoors, stay away from glass, windows, outside doors, walls. Also, stay away from anything that could fall, such as fans, light fixtures or furniture. Get under a sturdy table or desk and DROP, COVER and HOLD during the shaking.
Stock up on extra medication
Always try to have extra medication on hand in case healthcare services become unavailable. If you or a loved one relies on prescription medication, talk with your doctor about securing an emergency stockpile.
We will unpack these essential actions plus more during September when we host our first 30Days30WaysAUS campaign! Make sure you’re following us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads or Twitter. To receive our 30Days30WaysAUS blog straight into your inbox make sure you’ve subscribed.