Check your Neighbours

Getting to know your neighbours is an important part of preparing your household.

Neighbours can help each other in many ways and can include people in your street or community.

Don't be caught out during an emergency—make time to get to know your neighbours and their needs before an emergency situation occurs.

There may be people who could need more help than others in the case of an emergency—help that often can be provided by neighbours.

What can I do?

• Get to know your neighbours. Think about people in your neighbourhood who may need your help, for example:
  • older people living by themselves;
  • people with physical or sensory disabilities;
  • people with a chronic illness or with a mental illness;
  • single parents with young children;
  • large families;
  • people newly arrived, including tourists, refugees or immigrants.
• Talk to your neighbours to identify those who may need assistance—remember that many people value their privacy.
• Make a list of task neighbours can help each other. Does anyone have special skills, such as: medical, technical, trade?
• Plan how the neighbourhood could work together after a disaster.
• Organise a community working bee—it's a great way to get to know your neighbours.
• Examples of ways in which you may be able to help others:
  • Bill has a sensory disability and needs someone to let him know when weather warnings are issued and cancelled.
  • Joan is unable to lift heavy objects
  • If the power is disrupted, Jack will need assistance to prepare meals and to contact his family.
  • Sally is in a wheel chair and will need assistance to secure loose items around her property.

Help your neighbours

• Help to evaluate and prepare the home for an emergency by:
  • Help them prepare a household emergency plan
  • Helping them prepare an emergency kit
  • Helping prepare an emergency plan for pets or assistance dogs
• Assist in identifying and obtaining resources needed to cope effectively with an emergency.
• Assist moving furniture and valuables out of the way of flood water.
• Provide information about what is happening.
• Help to secure a property prior to a cyclone or storm.
• Provide a place to shelter while an emergency occurs.
• Help in the clean up after a disaster.
• Sit down with your neighbours and have a cup of tea and chat about what has happened.