Picture this. The power’s out, your phone’s down to 5%, the wind’s howling, and someone suddenly remembers the torches are… somewhere. Probably.
Now imagine this alternative scenario: you reach for a sturdy box, flick open the lid, and there it all is – light, radio, blankets, batteries, and snacks. Instant calm.
Welcome to the magic of the humble Emergency Kit.
Ready for fire, ready for flood
Emergencies don’t always mean smoke and helicopters. They could be as minor as a temporary power outage, as irritating as a road closure, or as traumatic as a branch falling through the roof in the middle of the night. Any of them quickly turn into a bad case of “I wish I’d thought ahead.”
As your friendly neighbourhood fire brigade, we’re prepared throughout the year to help our community – whether it be through fire, floods, storms or heavy snow.
When it comes to doing your own preparations, it’s the same story. Being ready for an emergency is worthwhile at any time of year. Storms and snow might not have the life-threatening impact of fire, but they can be just as disruptive if you have to pack up and move at short notice.
Having an Emergency Kit ready is like giving your future self a gift: time, comfort, and a little bit of control when everything else feels uncertain.
The best bit is, it’s not a complicated job. You can sort out your ready-for-anything Emergency Kit in roughly half an hour, using things you probably already have around the house.
Step 1: Find your Box
You don’t need fancy gear. Just something that’s:
- Waterproof – to keep everything safe and dry
- Light enough to carry – you might need to grab it fast
- Strong enough to survive – no cardboard boxes or shopping bags.
Think: a plastic tub, a trusty old suitcase, or a sturdy backpack.
Step 2: Fill it with the Essentials
Cover yourself for both evacuation and stay-at-home scenarios. Start with:
- Battery-powered radio (for emergency updates if other networks go down)
- Torch or lantern
- Spare batteries (check the sizes and expiry date)
- First aid kit + manual
- Woollen blankets – these provide warmth and ember protection
- USB battery bank to charge phones
- Important documents (IDs, insurance, passports) sealed in a waterproof pouch
If you love a backup plan (and we know you do):
- Pocket knife with can/bottle opener
- Candles and waterproof matches
- Printed contact list – don’t rely on your phone’s memory
- External hard drive or USB with photo and document backups
Step 3: Add the Extras
No two homes are the same so you can adapt these to suit your needs. You might need:
- Baby supplies – nappies, formula, wipes
- Kids’ comforts – books, soft toys, snacks
- Pet gear – food, leads, carriers, water
- Small camping stove – if coffee is non-negotiable
- Basic tool kit – for quick repairs.
Make a quick list of anything you’re missing and pick it up next time you’re at the shops.
Keep it up to date
Batteries, medications and snacks all have an expiry date, so set a yearly reminder and update them.
The annual update is also a good time to make changes to your contacts list, refresh the essential documents and files, make another backup of everyone’s laptop.
And check your torch actually works (we’ve all been there).
You’re officially prepared
That’s it. You’ve ticked off one of the most useful steps in emergency preparedness. Half an hour’s work for something that could save your sanity — or your life.
Small actions for big peace of mind. That’s what the Get Ready Challenge is all about!
For more on emergency kits and essential emergency packing, plus every other thing you need to be ready for bushfire season, jump in and join the Get Ready Challenge! We’ve got a full program of readiness tasks and info, all broken down into bite-size pieces like this.