Packing for an Emergency

: Published: 17 December 2019; Last Updated: 18 November 2021; Hits: 3719

Image of First Aid Kit, Water Bottles, Batteries, radio and torch

With the emergencies we have all faced in recent history, the need to be prepared is again highlighted. Bushfires, Floods and a Pandemic. In the event you need to evacuate in a hurry, or you may be without power and clean drinking water, a little planning now will spare you precious time.

Where do you begin to prepare for an emergency?

For starters, it is good to have a minimum of 3 days of supplies at the ready.

A “go bag” is an emergency bag you pack in advance, but hope you never need. Ready packed, you can just “go go go”. Find a bag that is sturdy enough to carry essentials, with a little spare room. A plastic storage tub can also be useful to readily store some of the supplies listed below. Some may already be in your camping equipment. Place reflective tape on watertight containers or bags to easily find them in the dark.

Consider that electricity and drinking water may not be available.

The Car

Keep your car fueled topped up so you can leave without delays at petrol stations.

It’s a great idea to have a first aid kit in the car, and sun protection and insect protection. Water and snacks in case you are stopped on-route. A Hi-Visibility vest is also a useful item to have on hand. In your first aid kit, make sure you have facemasks, zip lock bags for soiled masks, steriliser and disinfectant. (Take care of how you store the steriliser and disinfectant, particularly in hot weather). Consider a small bag you keep with your keys or the toiletry pack which is packed and ready to go but stored at your home and kept out of the heat).

Essential items to pack

Radio - battery or wind up powered. Mark the positions of local radio frequencies with a permanent marker.

Pure wool blankets - you can wet these and cover yourself for last-resort fire protection.

Device chargers.

Water

2 L per person per day for drinking
Extra for handwashing
Water purification tablets

Food/ Cooking

Three days of non-perishable food, eg tinned foods, dehydrated or dried foods, muesli bars, dry biscuit
Can opener (not electric)
Cutlery and crockery (picnic or camping set) or disposable items
Bedding – sleeping bags, wool blankets, sleeping mat
Cash, including small change
Chargers for phone – solar ones are available
Duct tape
Extra batteries
List of emergency contact numbers
Matches - pay attention to fire bans
Pen and paper
Plastic bucket and a tight-fitting lid
Portable gas cooker – be aware of fire bans for sterilising etc
Printed photos or USB with family members photos – can be used in case of missing persons
Radio and battery
Saucepan or billy
Tent
Torch and batteries
Utility knife
Whistle

First Aid Kit

Adhesive dressings
Antiseptic cream, spray or powder
Anti-diarrhea medication
Bandages, triangular and crepe
Disposable gloves
Dressings
Dressing tape
Gauze pads
Safety pins
Tweezers
Thermometer
Sterile Saline
Spares of Medications – check they are within expiry dates
Scissors
Vomit bags
P2 Face masks - For smoke from fires if the emergency is a fire-related emergency
Face masks suitable for COVID safe practices
Separate ziplock bags for clean and used masks. Label clearly to avoid confusion
Sanitiser and disinfectant (or include in your toiletry pack)
Gumboots or waterproof footwear for flood-related emergencies.

Basic toiletries

Insect repellant
Sanitary products
Shampoo and conditioner
Soap
Sunscreen
Toilet paper
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Sanitiser
Disinfectant

Clothing

Hat with excellent sun coverage
Sturdy shoes/ boots - waterproof if the emergency stems from flood or inundation warnings
Safety glasses
Safety gloves
Try for clothing with natural fibres
Three days of changes, including underwear

Fire-proof and waterproof envelope/ sleeve with copies of important documents like

Bank details
Child immunisation books
House titles or mortgage documents
Insurance details
Marriage and birth certificates
Passports or other identifications
Prescriptions
Microchip numbers for pets
Vaccination records for pets

Items for elderly or persons with disability

Assistive devices
Adaptive equipment
Cooler and ice bricks to keep medications cool
Feeding products
Incontinence products
Heavy-duty gloves (for manual wheelchair users, in case you need to push through debris)
Hearing devices and batteries
Mobility items
Spare glasses
Special prescription items
Writing devices
Wheelchair battery information and spare battery if possible
Wheelchair repair kit

Image of Baby Formula, bottles and spoon

For babies

Minimum of 3 days worth of nappies (if you use bamboo or cloth, be aware that washing water may not be available in an emergency. You may wish to purchase disposable nappies for the emergency kit)
Bulk pack of nappy wipes.
Changing mat
Favourite blanket or toy
If your baby is express fed, be prepared to hand express in the event pumps are not able to be sterilised.

For formula-fed babies

Unopened Formula
Bottles and teats – all pre sterilised – enough for 1 each feed for three days
Small bottles of drinking water to use to make up baby formula

Older babies

Tinned foods, food pouches
sturdy disposable spoons (in case washing water is not available)

For children

Something to keep them entertained
Colouring in
Balls to kick or throw
Board or card games (not too large)
A “comfort” toy

For pets or service animals

Food
Water
Leash or lead
Collar
Identification Tag
Travelling crate if necessary

Get Prepared App

The Red Cross has an app to assist you to connect with your key support people, accomplish simple tasks to make you and your loved ones safer, and protect the things that matter most to you. Get Prepared is available for ios and android. It includes simple checklists of important actions. You are able to share your plan with people you are connected to.

Red Cross also has a Get packing checklist, that is printable of essential items to pack in an emergency.

You may also be interested to learn about What to do in a flood and some tips for planning and guides to finding information. Another useful resource is COVID-Safe travel tips.

NSW Health has a booklet that provides important information about health and hot weather. It is for anyone who cares for, supports or assists people at risk of serious health effects from hot weather. It includes tips and ideas on how to keep someone healthy during hot weather. Click on the following link to access this booklet.

Beat the Heat: Health tips for a safe season

Printable checklist