New app prepares for emergencies

New data released by Red Cross and general insurer IAG has revealed that the safety and wellbeing of loved ones is the number one priority for Australians in an emergency.

The findings, sourced from the recently launched Red Cross Get Prepared app, reveal that the biggest driver for downloading the app is wanting to keep connected with loved ones  in times of emergency (28.4%) followed by becoming educated on the steps to take in an emergency (25.9%) and practical survival skills (25.3%).

More than 3,000 Australians have downloaded the Get Prepared app since late last year.

“The most stressful thing for people during an emergency is not knowing the fate of a loved one. The Get Prepared app allows people to enter their key contacts so their support network is immediately contactable,” Red Cross Emergency Services Strategy Manager Jacqui Pringle said.

“The app was developed because we all face emergencies: whether as large as a bushfire or as personal as a home accident. But the more prepared we are, the less stressful they become. Preparing means we’re more likely to stay in control during an emergency and be better positioned to recover afterwards.” 

“The more connected we are in our neighbourhoods, the safer we can be. Your neighbour can be the first person you call in a disaster – or even the first person to notify you of a disaster.”

The Get Prepared app data also revealed that in an emergency, the first person users would check on is their partner (25.6%), followed by their children (18.6%), extended family (16.9 pets (13.2%) and friends (12.9%) and

IAG and its stable of brands including NRMA Insurance and CGU, has helped Australians recover from natural disasters, accidents and loss since 1851. The general insurer co-created the Get Prepared app with Red Cross as part of its continued strategy to reduce and prevent risk and help build safer, more connected communities.

“We have entered into a 10-year partnership with Red Cross to help communities reduce risk and improve community connection and preparedness,” said IAG Partnerships and Programs Manager Jen Cobley.

“The Get Prepared app draws on our collective experience helping Australians prepare for and recover from unexpected events, and has been designed to provide practical tools and advice which can be used anytime, anywhere.

“We would encourage Australians to download the Get Prepared app and start taking some simple steps to prepare their home and family for unexpected events.”

The app can be downloaded for iOS here for Android here  as well as on the  website. (www.redcross.org.au/prepare)