Every household will require different items in their emergency kit. You won’t know exactly what should be in yours until you’ve written your Bushfire Survival Plan.
Prepare your kit well before the Fire Danger Season starts.
The best kit is one that can be used for all hazards – not just bushfires.
Emergency kit items
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.
General items include:
- battery-powered radio plus spare batteries
- waterproof torch and spare battery
- 100% woollen blanket
- clothing to protect you during a bushfire
- first aid kit
- a bottle of artificial tears to help flush ash and provide relief from smoke in your eyes
- sunscreen
- a can opener or multi-tool
- emergency contact numbers
- P2 (dust) face mask and sturdy boots suitable for walking across burnt ground
- dried fruits, packaged foods, drinks
- candles and matches.
Before you leave, add:
- money, key cards and credit cards
- medications, toiletries and sanitary supplies
- any special items required for infants, elderly, injured, or those with disabilities
- important documents (eg insurance papers, wills, passports), valuables and photos
- drinking water (three litres per person per day) and food for at least 48 hours
- a change of clothes for everyone
- mobile phone and charger
- children’s toys
- items for pets including a cage or leash, medication, food and a familiar item to reduce stress
- computer software and backup
- a list of essential phone contacts
- your computer
- a bag of clothing for each family member.
Keep your emergency kit in a waterproof storage container, and in a place that is easy to get to, where your whole family knows.
Emergency kits for bushfires
Practising your Bushfire Survival Plan will help you identify the things you need for your survival.
For example, to fill your gutters with water you will need gutter bungs, a ladder and a hose.
Additional kit contents are outlined below, but you will need to refine this list for your own purposes.
- Metal buckets and mops
- Fire extinguishers
- Hoses and spare hose fittings
- Knapsack sprayer and/or large water guns
- Towels
- Gutter bungs or other equipment for blocking downpipes.
Protective clothing
Whether you are leaving early or staying to defend your property, wearing protective clothing will increase your chance of survival against radiant heat.
Ensure that each family member knows where their personal protective clothing is located in the home.
At the beginning of the Fire Danger Season, have everyone try on all of their protective clothing to make sure it still fits and is in good condition.
Each person will need:
- long trousers made of natural fibre such as cotton, denim or wool
- long-sleeved, collared shirt (cotton or wool, but not too heavy)
- broad-brimmed hat (protects from dropping embers)
- sturdy leather boots or shoes
- 100% woollen socks (to prevent burns)
- goggles
- strong cotton or leather gloves
- P2 face mask (a type of dust mask) that covers the nose and mouth to protect you from inhaling smoke and embers.
Check clothing to ensure they are not synthetic fibre blends, as synthetics such as polyester will melt or burn.
Thongs or open footwear do not offer any foot protection and should never be worn in a bushfire environment.
Additional points
- It is not recommended to wet your clothing.
- Wear clothing that is strong enough to protect against radiant heat, but loose enough to allow for sweating and cooling.
- Don’t wear boots with nails or studs.
- Check that collared shirts can be fully buttoned to protect against hot flying embers.
Your Bushfire Survival Plan needs to be flexible enough to cope with varying circumstances.
Ensure that all members of your household know your plan and their roles and responsibilities.