If you've ever wondered whether you actually need an emergency kit, here's the thing: Australia's disaster season is happening right now. Between cyclones, bushfires and flash flooding, the question isn't whether disaster will strike, but when. And when it does, having a 72-hour emergency kit at home could be the difference between staying calm and scrambling.
Here's the good news. You don't need to spend $600 on a fancy pre-made survival kit. With some smart shopping, you can build a practical emergency kit for under $150.
What You Actually Need
According to the NSW SES, every household should have supplies to survive 72 hours without electricity, water or running services. That means water, food, medications, lighting, communication tools and important documents. The Australian Red Cross recommends storing at least 10 litres of drinking water per person, which works out to roughly 30 litres for a family of three.
For non-perishable food, skip the freeze-dried camping meals. Canned vegetables, tinned fruit, peanut butter, crackers and long-life milk powder work just as well. Add a manual can opener (not the electric kind) and you're set. Include any prescription medications your household needs, plus a week's supply of over-the-counter painkillers and antacids.
A battery-powered torch, portable radio and spare batteries are essential during power outages. If you want to future-proof your kit, solar or wind-up torches eliminate the need for constant battery replacement. Add a first aid manual, work gloves, a wrench to turn off utilities, and copies of important documents. Scan these to a USB drive too.
The Budget Breakdown
Water: roughly $20 (buying bulk bottles at Coles or Woolworths). Non-perishable food: $30-$40. Torch and batteries: $15. First aid kit: $25. Other essentials including gloves, documents folder and hygiene items: $20-$25. Total for a family of three: around $130-$150.
Skip the pre-made kits unless convenience is worth the premium to you. Bunnings and supermarkets stock everything individually, and you control what goes in based on your family's needs.
Storage That Works
Buy a sturdy waterproof container from any hardware store, mark it clearly with a marker, add reflective tape, and store it somewhere accessible like a hallway cupboard. Everyone in your household should know where it is. Update it annually: check expiry dates on food and medications, refresh water supplies, and swap out old batteries.
Your emergency kit won't prevent disasters, but it gives your family breathing room when they strike. In a crisis, having these basics on hand means you're not scrambling at the last minute.