Every household should have an emergency plan.
Develop an emergency plan by doing the following things:
• Prepare an emergency kit and keep it handy.
• Make sure you have adequate household and contents’ insurance, and know which hazards are not covered.
• Find out how and where to turn off power, gas and water supplies.
• Store important documents (e.g. wills, photos, birth certificates).
• Household members need to agree upon, and share essential tasks, such as contacting each other if not home, collecting school children and checking on elderly neighbours.
• Arrange an out-of-town friend or relative to be a single point of contact (in case people are separated before or during a widespread emergency).
If you have to evacuate your home remember to:
• Turn off power, gas, water
• Lock doors and windows etc. (You will feel more confident about leaving if you have previously upgraded your home security).
• Take your emergency kit with you
• Listen for official emergency warnings and safety advice on local radio/TV.
• Follow police directions and instructions.
Note: Community centres, school halls and other suitable sites will be utilised by emergency services for emergency evacuation centres. Listen for official directions about where to evacuate and best traffic routes.