Prepare Your Emergency Plan

Take the time to discuss what you and your family will do in the event of a disaster or emergency. Prepare your emergency plan ahead of time. Then, if an emergency threatens, you will know how to best respond.

Our Household Emergency Plan template will assist you in preparing your emergency plan. If you would like to tailor your own plan, please visit Get Ready. Put a copy on your fridge or in your pantry and another in the waterproof bag in your emergency kit.

All household members need to know where your Household Emergency Plan is kept

Involve all household members in your disasters preparations so all understand risks and appropriate actions required in an emergency.
Practice your Household Emergency Plan with all householders every few months to make sure everyone knows what to do if an emergency occurs.

For many emergencies, you may be able to “shelter in place”, either at home or at work. Some events may come with additional risks that require you to evacuate. It is important that you determine where you will meet your family or relocate to if you and your family are required to evacuate before a disaster occurs.

In a disaster, high winds, fire, or rising floodwaters can prevent Emergency Services from reaching you. Debris, damage and fallen power lines can cut road access. Your community and your family could become isolated for three days or more. Depending on your circumstances, you may not have immediate access to help and will need to rely on the supplies and equipment you have at home. Take the time to prepare an emergency kit well ahead of any impending disaster.

Planning with children

Cyclones, severe storms and floods can be frightening for adults but they are traumatic for children if they do not know what to do. A good way to prepare children and to address their fears is to include them in your household emergency preparations.Talk to your children about what your family will do if there is a cyclone, severe storm, bushfire or flood.

Make sure they know where they will go if you have to evacuate, who to call in an emergency and where the strongest place in the house is to shelter while a cyclone passes.

Kids can help get their home ready in the days and hours before an emergency. Depending on their age, this can include bringing their toys inside, looking after pets, gathering blankets and other soft items for protection, helping switch off electrical items and filling bathtubs.

If anyone in your family, household or neighbourhood has a medical condition or special needs, they may need assistance before, during and after a disaster.

Useful information to help you prepare a plan

Queensland is vulnerable to many man-made and natural disasters. When you are compiling your household emergency plan, think about the potential hazards in your area.

Visit getready.qld.gov.au/plan to help prepare your plan.