When a bushfire warning arrives or a flood moves in, you do not have time to think clearly about what to pack. You could have as little as 10 minutes to evacuate, be out of power for 24-72 hours, or be cut off from supply chains for days. Yet the vast majority of Australians have never prepared for that moment.
71% of Australians do NOT have an emergency plan in place. Even more troubling: 7 in 10 people are displaced by a natural disaster each year. That gap between risk and readiness is where families suffer. But the solution is straightforward. A proper emergency kit, assembled before crisis hits, transforms panic into action.
What Actually Goes in the Kit?
Emergency services across Australia provide detailed guidance on what households need. Pack 10 litres of drinking water per person at least. For food, things to pack include canned food, dry food such as biscuits, crackers, muesli bars and nuts, plenty of water and a water bottle for everyone.
Communication and light matter as much as supplies. A battery powered radio is one of the most reliable items in a disaster especially during power and internet loss. Extend the life of your phone by ensuring you have a spare phone charger packed as well as a fully charged portable battery or power pack.
Protective gear takes on urgency during bushfires. Pack protective clothing and safety equipment such as long sleeve shirts made from thick cotton or wool, long pants, leather boots, protective gloves, dust masks or respirators and safety glasses. A properly equipped first aid kit can save lives. Make sure you include a first aid manual.
Documentation is easily overlooked but essential. Scan and save important documents, contact, emails and photos to a USB and keep it in your kit. If you have dependents or pets, they need planning too. Parents should make sure the bushfire survival kit contains enough nappies, wipes and food for at least three days. Other essential pet items include a leash and collar with ID tags, medicines with clear instructions, waste cleaning products such as a litter tray and litter or dog poop bags, and some bedding and comfort toys.
How Long Should a Kit Last?
Emergency kits should contain what you need to help survive a bushfire, what to take with you to safety, and what you may need for up to four days following a fire. Most Australian emergency services recommend preparing for at least 72 hours of self-sufficiency, the minimum window before external support typically arrives.
Keep it in a sturdy, waterproof storage container and in a place where it will be easy to access when you're in a hurry. Mark your kit clearly and put reflective tape on or around it so you can easily find it in the dark. Store it somewhere accessible, not locked in a cupboard or basement that becomes unreachable in seconds.
Breaking the Preparation Barrier
Many households skip emergency preparation because assembling a kit feels overwhelming or costly. Our kits are over 30% cheaper than building your own saving you time, money and hours of research while giving you complete peace of mind. Pre-assembled kits remove the guesswork.
But cost should not be the real barrier. The real barrier is recognising that your household is at risk. 71% of Australians do NOT have an emergency plan in place. But those who do recover faster, safer and with far less stress. The families that prepare do not second-guess their evacuation. They do not waste minutes deciding what to grab. They move.
Before the next bushfire season or flood warning arrives, spend an afternoon assembling or purchasing your kit. Check it annually. Update expired medications and water. Customise it for your family's actual needs. Then put it somewhere obvious and forget about it until you need it. When that moment comes, you will be grateful you did.