Emergency kit: essential items, all times

Having an Emergency Kit is an important step to prepare for, survive and cope with emergencies.

Know: All householders need to know where your Emergency Kit is kept.

Check: and update the contents of your kit regularly, to ensure everything is in working order and has not expired.

Discuss: your Emergency Kit with all householders and make sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

On this page is a list of items which should be in your kit at all times.

There is also a list of extra items which if you do not keep at all times you should add to your kit during storm or cyclone season.

Food and water

Medical and sanitation

  • First Aid Kit and manual
  • Essential medications, prescriptions and dosage
  • Toilet paper
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste
  • Soap/shampoo
  • Personal hygiene items

Light

  • Flashlight/torch with extra batteries
  • Battery powered lantern

Communications

  • Battery powered radio with extra batteries
  • Prepaid phone cards and coins for phone calls

Clothing and footwear

  • Warm jumper, waterproof jacket, hat and gloves for everyone
  • Closed—toed shoes or boots for everyone

Tools and supplies

  • Whistle, utility knife, duct/masking tape
  • Plastic garbage bags, ties
  • Safety glasses and sun glasses.

Miscellaneous

Important documents

Keep original or certified copies of these documents in your Emergency Kit .

Scan copies of them and save the files on a USB memory stick or CD to include in your kit. Keep all these items in sealed plastic bags.

  • Insurance papers for your house and contents, cars and for valuable items
  • Inventory of valuable household goods
  • Wills and life insurance documents
  • House deeds/mortgage documents
  • Birth and marriage certificates
  • Passports/visa details
  • Stocks and bonds
  • Medicare, pension cards, immunisation records
  • Bank account and credit card details
  • A back—up copy of important computer files
  • Household Emergency Plan with emergency contact numbers