Staying safe in natural disasters

Natural disasters can create havoc with utility services and infrastructure. Being aware of our surroundings and the potential dangers during such times is crucial.

Be patient

Emergency and other relevant personnel, even with reinforcements, are often overwhelmed with calls for help during a crisis. Teams work around the clock to attend incidents and rectify faults as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

As always, life-threatening situations will be attended first and other issues will be dealt with in order of urgency and the likely impact on community and infrastructure.

Avoid non-essential phone calls and help keep the phone lines clear for emergency calls and for emergency co-ordination efforts.

Stay calm and be prepared

Our ability to stay safe in a natural disaster such as a bushfire, storm, flood or earthquake often depends on how well we have prepared, how we react when it happens and what we do immediately afterwards.

Listen to the radio for updates and follow the advice of authorities when they provide it.

Check if neighbours or other people around you need assistance. Looking out for other people in your community can make the difference to someone's survival, particularly for the elderly, sick or others who may need help with evacuation, for example.

Every household should have an emergency kit. The contents will vary depending upon your personal circumstances but should generally include emergency contact information, a portable radio, torch, spare batteries (regularly check these to ensure there are fresh ones), a first aid kit, a charged mobile phone, sturdy pair of gloves, plastic bags, medication, spare clothes, water containers, hard or digital copies of your important documents.

Learn first aid. Then you will be in a position to render assistance to others when medical help might not be as readily available. Organisations such as the Australian Red Cross and St John Ambulance run regular courses.

For the latest news, more information and advice visit the ACT Emergency Services website.