Ready – or not? Are you prepared for an emergency?

Bushfires, cyclones and floods across Australia are becoming more frequent and intense. It’s more important than ever to plan ahead, be prepared and ultimately stay safe this summer emergency season.

Emergency services have plans in place for responding to emergencies and will coordinate the response, but you can also do a few things to plan ahead for peace of mind. The more prepared you are, the calmer you will be in the event an emergency is declared.

It’s Emergency Prep Week (23-29 September) and the Red Cross has shared their tips on how you can get prepared.

Know the hazards which are likely to affect you, who you might need to contact and where to get information in an emergency.

Do not dial 000 (triple zero) for general advice or information. Only call 000 (triple zero) during a life-threatening emergency requiring police, ambulance or fire and rescue help. For non-emergency situations call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or your nearest police station.

State emergency agencies

Local emergency agencies

Emergencies can occur at any time but often when people are at work or school. To keep your family safe, agree on three meeting places with all members of your family:

Your family, friends and neighbours are the people most likely to help you in an emergency so you should identify who you could contact when you need someone to talk to, someone nearby who can help and someone who can physically lend a hand.

- Make sure you get or update your insurance to avoid financial stress due to emergencies.

- Store your documents in a safe place other than at home so it’s easier to identify yourself and your property.

- Make a plan for your pets- think about how you would identify, transport and accommodate them. It is also smart to think about what you would do if you can’t make it home.

In an emergency, you need to move fast and that doesn’t leave time for packing. Pack your survival kit in advance. The Red Cross has a Survival Kit emergency pack list to help.

Download the Red Cross Get Prepared app, a free one-stop tool to help you get ready for any type of emergency.