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Preparing your home

The best time to prepare your home is well before a disaster strikes. Take steps now (PDF, 240 KB) to secure and protect your property will improve the safety of your home.

General home maintenance

  • Check the condition of the roof and repair loose tiles, eaves and roof screws.
  • Clean gutters and down pipes so water can drain away as quickly as possible.
  • Trim trees and overhanging branches.
  • Secure loose items around your property and garden that could cause damage if blown around in high winds (e.g. garden furniture and toys).

General home preparations

  • Ensure your home, contents and car insurance is current and covers your assets adequately—make sure your policy includes debris clean up and disposal costs.
  • Identify which room is the strongest part of the house in case you need to shelter there during a severe storm or cyclone (usually this is the smallest room with the least windows).
  • Identify where and how to turn off the mains supply for water, power and gas.
  • Stock up on emergency essentials, such as:
    • containers for drinking water
    • fuel for your vehicle (always store it safely)
    • wide masking tape to strengthen windows.

If you live in a flood-prone area

  • Store all poisons above ground level.
  • Identify which indoor items you will need to raise or empty if flooding threatens your home (e.g. freezers and refrigerators).
  • Keep a supply of sandbags—hessian bags filled with sand to place over indoor drains to prevent sewage backwash if there's flooding.
  • To minimise water damage, consider:
    • replacing carpets with more water-resistant floor coverings
    • moving your electrical sockets and power points well above floor level.

If you live in an area prone to cyclones or severe storms

  • Be aware of severe storm patterns in your area (contact your local council for advice).
  • Fit windows with shutters or metal screens for added protection during high winds.
  • Have a professional builder check your home to identify ways to increase your home's ability to withstand high winds.

Get Ready Queensland

SES Get Ready Guide (PDF, 4.5 MB)

Are you ready for a disaster?

The SES Get Ready Guide will help you:

  • prepare your home
  • prepare an emergency and evacuation kit
  • receive and tune-in to warnings.

Are you Storm Wise?

Every year, SES volunteers across Queensland spend thousands of hours learning the skills they need to assist the community during and after severe weather events.

The Get Storm Ready website is a joint initiative of Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) and NRMA Insurance which provides safety tips and resources to help you prepare for storms based on the first-hand experiences of SES volunteers.

Last updated
24 May, 2013

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