Step 3: Get organised

Prepare important documents, check insurance, and plan for pets, children, and sentimental items.

Store your important documents

Identifying yourself, proving ownership of your home/car and providing details for your insurance cover can become a real headache without the original paperwork or copies of it.

Have copies of your key documents in one place outside your home: ID and visa documents, birth and marriage certificates, ownership documents, insurance, ongoing prescriptions. The Australian Government’s Digital ID app, myID is fast and easy.

This helps you stay in control if you need to check in to an evacuation centre or apply for replacement documentation.

Get or update your insurance

Having adequate insurance cover can help you avoid major financial stresses related to your home, business, health or income.

Consider coverage for:

your family's health, including pets
your home and contents
income protection and business

Plan for babies' and young childrens' needs

Evacuation centres may not be set up to meet babies and young children’s needs.

Consider:

baby formula, sterilised bottles and enough clean water for a few days
suitable food and medication
books, toys and games

Resources for parents and carers

Identify items of sentimental value

Think about the important items in your life that would cause distress if they were lost. Ask each of the family to identify theirs.

Identify where each of these are
Store a box or bag for smaller items
Make copies or take photos of item
Work out how you might protect items that can't be removed easily

Take another step

Get in the know

Understand local risks, manage stress, and know where to get information and help.

Get connected

Build a support network, plan with your household, and choose safe meeting places.

Get packing

Pack an emergency kit to stay safe and support your recovery – no matter what happens.

Australian Red Cross acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land, their ancestors and Elders, past and present.

Learn about our Reconciliation Action Plan and how we can all make reconciliation real.

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