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TIP STORE: HOUSEHOLD: Emergency Preparation

A Virtual Emergency Evacuation Box

​Rather than burn important documents or photos on to a disc, I take a photo of them with my phone and email them to myself. I have folders set up and can access my emails any where and print out if necessary. 
Contributed by Danni Marples

​Protecting Your Precious Memories

Living in Australia (and with a week of 40+ temperatures heading our way) it is important for many people to have a bushfire plan in place, including how protect their precious photographs. I live in a metropolitan area but there are always other threats that could damage or destroy photos. I have all of my negatives stored in archival safe sleeves at my mother's house and a back up copy of all of my digital photos saved to DVD and a copy stored at my mother's and another at my father's houses. I also have a portable hard drive that I have used to store back ups of my photos in case my PC ever dies. You could also scan and save any other precious memorabilia and keep copies of them safe offsite also.
​Contributed by Donna Reid, 3rd January 2014

​Emergency Safety Box

Like many Cheapskaters, I live in a rural area and the threat of fire this year has been quite significant. I have taken on board the notion of having an emergency fire box filled with things suggested by fire personnel such as spare batteries, portable radio, first aid kit, precious documents etc. However I have a couple of tips to add: 1. Copy all precious photos onto disk or USB - do this well in advance and keep one or two of these in the box. Do this also with all key documentation such as insurance papers, personal identification such as drivers licenses, birth and marriage certificates, qualifications etc. 2. Also important is current medical advice - such as medical conditions, medic alert bracelets etc. You may not lose these in a fire, but even losing a wallet may make you feel relieved that you took copies of personal cards and drivers licenses etc.! 3. ALSO, whilst it is an added cost in setting up an emergency box, I suggest toothbrushes, toothpaste and some clean spare underwear for each member of the family. 4. For the pets, a couple of spare cans of food and WATER BOTTLES. (keep a couple of these frozen and ready to go in your freezer if you have room). 5. A small amount of cash is also likely to be very useful. If you need to leave in a hurry, flustering about to "grab" things is far from ones mind. So do this well in advance, and put it right near your door. On busy high alert times, I actually carry mine in my car so all I have to worry about is people, pets and RUN!! All of this will fit in a small cardboard box or if funds allow, a plastic one with clip on lid, or a cheap or re-purposed small suitcase.
Contributed by Lisa Jardine, 18th January 2013

​ Editors Note: Having an emergency kit handy is a good idea for everyone. Your emergency doesn't have to be a bush fire, it can be as simple as a sick child in the middle of the night. Get together a bag with essential information, some coins, a puzzle book (waiting can be boring) and something to eat and drink and keep it somewhere easily accessible. Then when you need to rush out the door in a hurry you don't need to scrabble around gathering things up - just grab the bag and go. Cath

​Fire Box

As I live in a bushfire prone area, each season I put together my "bushfire box". I get a big plastic box and I put in anything I think I will need in a big hurry, like old photos, birth certificates, our wills, insurance paperwork and any other important paperwork. Irreplaceable trinkets like the kids things also go in as well. I also scan important things and burn onto disc and put in there as well. Having this box prepared means we can evacuate in a hurry. When you make your evacuation box you will of course be limited by the size of your box and it is hard to choose what you can and can't afford to replace. But having this box will hopefully mean that if or when you and your family are told you have to evacuate, you can leave easily and quickly without worrying and fretting that you have left something behind. All you have to do is grab the box, the kids and the pets. This little bit of organization will mean that the fireys can do what they do best, putting out the fires, instead of hanging around waiting on you.
​Contributed by Denise, Laidley, December 15th 2006

​Emergency Box on Wheels

This is an addition to the hint by Denise of Queensland re fire preparation box. I use a medium to large size suitcase with wheels to pack emergency supplies. That way it will be easy for me to get it to the car in an emergency, as I couldn't lift a heavy box. The things inside are covered, kept in by the zipper around the top, and can be locked if necessary. I also keep a printed checklist in the suitcase of extra things that will need to be packed or done at the time of the emergency.
​Contributed by Kate, Calwell, 5th January, 2007

​Free Virtual Safe from Suncorp

Now that the fire season is upon us, I have a hint that can save you a lot of time and heart ache. When I was in my Suncorp branch I picked up a free CD rom called Virtual Safe. It is designed to be a central and secure place to keep a record of your home and contents and meaningful documents, valuations or certificates. You can even scan important images and photos. This can then be put in safe place and retrieved easily whenever necessary. And the best part is it is FREE.
​Contributed by Denise, Laidley, 1st November 2007