Get connected

• Introduce yourself to neighbours, the people in the local café or shops
• Organise a street clean-up or communal garage sale
• Join a local group or online community

A community is more than the geographic area you live in. It can include people you share an interest, hobby, language or religion.

• Someone you can talk to
• A person who lives nearby who can help
• Someone physically able to lend a hand

The people most likely to help you in an emergency are your friends, family and neighbours. That's why it's a good idea to have at least three key people you know and trust, that you could call for help in an emergency. Let them know you may call on them to help.

• One outside your house. For example, at the letterbox
• Another outside your neighbourhood, in case you can't get home
• And a third, somewhere you can stay overnight

Being separated from friends and loved ones is one of the most stressful things a person can go through in an emergency. It is easily avoidable with a bit of forward planning.