You never know when disaster can strike… does that mean you’re powerless? On the contrary, good preparation can make all the difference. Here are ten practical, easily actionable steps to protect your family and your home.
💡 Summary at a Glance
Implementing a disaster preparedness checklist may dramatically improve your family’s safety, recovery and peace of mind.
- Follow official updates from the Met Office and ODPM and keep emergency contact numbers accessible.
- Prepare a 3-day emergency kit with water, food, first aid supplies, medications and essential tools.
- Create a family evacuation and communication plan.
- Know how to safely turn off your home’s utilities.
- Keep property insurance up to date to protect your home and belongings.
- Store important documents securely in waterproof, fire-resistant storage and back them up digitally.
- Learn basic first aid and keep your property maintained to reduce disaster risks.
- Include pets in your emergency planning
1. Stay informed through official sources
Your aunt just forwarded a WhatsApp message announcing a tsunami. But before you launch into action, verify. The Met Office will have up-to-date information on weather events and the ODPM has provided a list of emergency contacts — it’s a good idea to print this out and place it prominently in your house since you may not be able to access the internet in a disaster.
2. Build a 3-day emergency kit
Your household should have supplies to last a minimum of 3 days without outside help. Supplies include:
- Water (one gallon per person per day for several days)
- Non-perishable and canned food and manual can opener
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Whistle (to signal for help)
- Soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, bleach and water purification tablets
- Any medication your family members use regularly
- Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
- Local maps and emergency contact numbers
Remember to check your kit every six months and replace supplies as needed.
3. Create an evacuation plan
Map out how everyone in the household would get out safely and agree on a muster point. Plan more than one route away from your house. If you live near any flood-prone river basins, identify higher ground in advance rather than figuring it out as water rises.
4. Learn how to turn off utilities
Be honest, could you turn off the water, electricity, and gas at the main right now? If the answer is no, you probably won’t be able to act quickly in an emergency. Make sure that everyone in your family learns; you can never tell who will be home during a disaster and everyone should be prepared.
You can insure both your house and your valuables, like furniture, appliances and electronics. In the instance of fire, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or other perils, property insurance can be the difference between recovering quickly and having to scrimp and save for years. Even if you’re a renter, you can still purchase householder’s insurance to keep the contents of your house safe.
And remember to review your property insurance regularly; don’t wait until it’s too late to realise that your coverage has lapsed or that you didn’t update your coverage after renovating.
6. Store important documents securely
Quick: where are your passport, birth certificate and medical records right now? A desk drawer won’t survive a flood. A small fireproof and waterproof home safe is a worthwhile investment and if you don’t have one yet, keep physical copies sealed in resealable plastic bags as a stopgap. Digital scans should also be backed up to cloud storage for maximum protection.
7. Learn first aid
Basic first aid can make all the difference if a loved one gets hurt and the disaster prevents you from receiving immediate help.
8. Clean up your property
That clogged drain you’re always meaning to clear — do it now! You won’t have time when flooding has already started. Trim trees and shrubs near your home, and walk your yard, looking for anything that could become a projectile in high winds, like loose galvanize or plant pots.
5. Keep your
property insurance
current
9. Agree on a family communications plan
Decide in advance how household members will check in if separated, especially if cell networks are congested or down. Text messages are more reliable than phone calls in an emergency. Designate a contact outside your immediate area that every family member can message to confirm they’re safe
10. Don’t forget your pets
Pets are family too! Don’t leave them outdoors in a disaster and don’t forget them if you evacuate. Your emergency kit should also include pet supplies — like dog food.
Final Thoughts: Disasters can’t be predicted, but they can be prepared for
Don’t say, Oh, I’ll get to it soon, because soon may never come. Give yourself deadlines, like, I’ll prepare the emergency kit by the end of the week and I’ll do a first aid course next month. Taking a few practical steps today can make a significant difference to your family’s safety, recovery and peace of mind.
Can You Help Me With Property Insurance?
Of course! Chat with an agent about your unique situation and we’ll work with you to devise a plan to suit your needs. Or fill in the simple form on our website to get started.
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