What you can do to protect your home and contents
You know the risks you need to plan for so now is the time to get your home prepared so you are ready when the next natural disaster hits. As it’s not a matter of if, but when.
The best place to start is home maintenance. Keeping your garden maintained and looking out for any damage on your home as a result of age or a previous incident will ensure your home is in the best shape it can be to weather a natural disaster.
Once your home is looking good (and we all know maintenance is an ongoing task as gardens grow and homes age), you can then put a home preparation plan in place so you know how to protect your home, your possessions and your family when a severe weather warning is issued.
Home maintenance
Every home is different but there are always tasks you can do to maintain your home so it’s ready for the next natural disaster. If you are renting and notice something that needs rectifying, talk to your property manager or landlord about getting it fixed. Rectifying it now will save money in the long run.
Hover over the interactive dots below or expand the checklist to find out how.
Alternatively the following checklist is also available in the Get Ready Queensland protect what's most important to you booklet (PDF|1MB) which is available to download.
Check the condition of the roof regularly and repair loose tiles, eaves, screws and cracked or broken guttering or flashing.
Clean gutters and downpipes so water can drain away as quickly as possible.
Trim trees and overhanging branches that are close to your home.
Fix any corrosion, loose fittings and rotting or termite-affected timber.
Repair any broken sealant around window sills to makewater tight.
Empty standing water from any containers and paddling pools that are not frequently emptied in the yard to prevent mosquito growth which can carry disease.
Check the condition of the roof regularly and repair loose tiles, eaves, screws and cracked or broken guttering or flashing.
Clean gutters and downpipes so water can drain away as quickly as possible.
Trim trees and overhanging branches that are close to your home.
Fix any corrosion, loose fittings and rotting or termite-affected timber.
Repair any broken sealant around window sills to makewater tight.
Empty standing water from any containers and paddling pools that are not frequently emptied in the yard to prevent mosquito growth which can carry disease.
Check the condition of the roof regularly and repair loose tiles, eaves, screws and cracked or broken guttering or flashing.
Clean gutters and downpipes so water can drain away as quickly as possible.
Trim trees and overhanging branches that are close to your home.
Fix any corrosion, loose fittings and rotting or termite-affected timber.
Repair any broken sealant around window sills to makewater tight.
Empty standing water from any containers and paddling pools that are not frequently emptied in the yard to prevent mosquito growth which can carry disease.
Home preparation by disaster
Just as a bushfire is different from a cyclone in regards to the type of threat it poses and damage it causes, so too are your home preparation plans.
Based on your understanding of the risk that you face where you live, use the following guides to make a plan for your home in order to best protect it, your family and your possessions in the event of a natural disaster.
The following home preparation checklists are also available in the Get Ready Queensland protect what's most important to you booklet which is available to download.
Cyclones and storms and flooding
Winds caused by cyclones are powerful enough to break large trees and blow away garden sheds and poorly constructed roofed patios. They can also cause extensive property damage and turn loose items into wind-borne debris, causing further building damage. Our sub-tropical climate also means it can rain a lot in the summer months, which can lead to floods. Take the steps below to put a plan in place to prepare your home for cyclones, storms and flooding. To find out if you are at risk where you live check out cyclones and storm surges, storms and floods.
Hover over the interactive dots below or expand the checklist to find out how.
Identify which room is the strongest part of the house, in case you need to shelter in your home during a severe storm or cyclone. Usually this would be the smallest room in the house, with the least windows e.g. bathroom or laundry.
Pack your emergency and evacuation kits – ensure the location is included on your household emergency and evacuation plan.
Store safely a spare supply of fuel for use in your vehicle.
Have readily available hessian bags and sand for sandbagging indoor drains to prevent sewerage backwash from flooding.
Identify loose items that would need to be secured that could cause damage if blown around in high winds (such as garden furniture and toys).
Store all poisons well above ground level.
Identify which indoor items you will need to raise or empty if flooding threatens your home.
Identify which room is the strongest part of the house, in case you need to shelter in your home during a severe storm or cyclone. Usually this would be the smallest room in the house, with the least windows e.g. bathroom or laundry.
Pack your emergency and evacuation kits – ensure the location is included on your household emergency and evacuation plan.
Store safely a spare supply of fuel for use in your vehicle.
Have readily available hessian bags and sand for sandbagging indoor drains to prevent sewerage backwash from flooding.
Identify loose items that would need to be secured that could cause damage if blown around in high winds (such as garden furniture and toys).
Store all poisons well above ground level.
Identify which indoor items you will need to raise or empty if flooding threatens your home.
Identify which room is the strongest part of the house, in case you need to shelter in your home during a severe storm or cyclone. Usually this would be the smallest room in the house, with the least windows e.g. bathroom or laundry.
Pack your emergency and evacuation kits – ensure the location is included on your household emergency and evacuation plan.
Store safely a spare supply of fuel for use in your vehicle.
Have readily available hessian bags and sand for sandbagging indoor drains to prevent sewerage backwash from flooding.
Identify loose items that would need to be secured that could cause damage if blown around in high winds (such as garden furniture and toys).
Store all poisons well above ground level.
Identify which indoor items you will need to raise or empty if flooding threatens your home.
When severe weather warnings are issued
When a cyclone, severe storm or flooding is predicted by authorities, a severe weather warning will be issued to affected residents via free to air TV stations, local radio, app and website notifications that you have subscribed to on your phone. The alerts and warnings pages will give you an idea of the warnings services available that you can choose to subscribe to, follow, bookmark or tune into. Once issued, take the steps below to prepare your home for the severe weather approaching.
Hover over the interactive dots below or expand the checklist to find out how.
Disconnect electrical appliances and all external television and radio aerials.
Fill buckets and bath with clean water in case of interruptions to main supply.
Close windows with shutters or draw curtains.
Move outdoor equipment, garbage, chemicals and poisons to a higher location.
Empty and raise fridges and freezers and stack or move furniture, valuables and electrical items off-site.
Sandbag internal drains and toilets to prevent sewage backflow.
Move livestock, plant and feed to higher ground.
Park vehicles under cover, away from trees, powerlines and waterways or secure with firmly tied blankets to minimise hail damage.
Check all household members are safe (including your pets) and are in the strongest room in the house e.g. bathroom or laundry.
Take your emergency kit in with you whilst sheltering from the storm or cyclone.
Disconnect electrical appliances and all external television and radio aerials.
Fill buckets and bath with clean water in case of interruptions to main supply.
Close windows with shutters or draw curtains.
Move outdoor equipment, garbage, chemicals and poisons to a higher location.
Empty and raise fridges and freezers and stack or move furniture, valuables and electrical items off-site.
Sandbag internal drains and toilets to prevent sewage backflow.
Move livestock, plant and feed to higher ground.
Park vehicles under cover, away from trees, powerlines and waterways or secure with firmly tied blankets to minimise hail damage.
Check all household members are safe (including your pets) and are in the strongest room in the house e.g. bathroom or laundry.
Take your emergency kit in with you whilst sheltering from the storm or cyclone.
Disconnect electrical appliances and all external television and radio aerials.
Fill buckets and bath with clean water in case of interruptions to main supply.
Close windows with shutters or draw curtains.
Move outdoor equipment, garbage, chemicals and poisons to a higher location.
Empty and raise fridges and freezers and stack or move furniture, valuables and electrical items off-site.
Sandbag internal drains and toilets to prevent sewage backflow.
Move livestock, plant and feed to higher ground.
Park vehicles under cover, away from trees, powerlines and waterways or secure with firmly tied blankets to minimise hail damage.
Check all household members are safe (including your pets) and are in the strongest room in the house e.g. bathroom or laundry.
Take your emergency kit in with you whilst sheltering from the storm or cyclone.
Bunnings Do it Yourself series offers additional tips below on how you can prepare your home in advance for the severe weather season or for when a cyclone or severe storm is on its way.
Home preparation for bushfires
Bushfires can cause serious property and infrastructure damage. The fire itself is only one element of the danger. Fire embers can spread many kilometres from the location of a large bushfire, causing smaller spot fires to break out. Also radiant heat can be felt more than 100m away from a large bushfire and has the potential to melt or fracture objects including parts of cars, glass windows, etc. Due to the unpredictable nature of fast moving fires, people are likely to be encouraged to evacuate from their homes as quickly as possible to ensure they are able to reach safety. However, if you live in a bushfire prone area, the following plan of action will help reduce your risk around the home. To find out more about bushfires and if you are at risk where you live check out the Get Ready bushfire page.
Hover over the interactive dots below or expand the checklist to find out how.
Check to see if the vegetation on your property is protected and prohibited from removal by contacting your local council.
Have good access to water around your house e.g. tanks, swimming pools. Don’t rely on electric pumps and town water as these services may be unavaialble during fire emergencies.
Remove door mats or flammable materials.
Maintain a fuel free zone around your fence line.
Never dump garden waste and other flammables in adjoining bushland areas.
Remove vegetation overhanging your house.
Clean decks, gutters and roof valleys.
Rake up bark, leaves and twigs. Do not place garden waste and other flammable materials in fuel free zones, firebreaks and fire access trails.
Clear firewood, other flammables and rubbish from under and around the house.
Make sure your property has clear access for fire trucks.
Check to see if the vegetation on your property is protected and prohibited from removal by contacting your local council.
Have good access to water around your house e.g. tanks, swimming pools. Don’t rely on electric pumps and town water as these services may be unavaialble during fire emergencies.
Remove door mats or flammable materials.
Maintain a fuel free zone around your fence line.
Never dump garden waste and other flammables in adjoining bushland areas.
Remove vegetation overhanging your house.
Clean decks, gutters and roof valleys.
Rake up bark, leaves and twigs. Do not place garden waste and other flammable materials in fuel free zones, firebreaks and fire access trails.
Clear firewood, other flammables and rubbish from under and around the house.
Make sure your property has clear access for fire trucks.
Check to see if the vegetation on your property is protected and prohibited from removal by contacting your local council.
Have good access to water around your house e.g. tanks, swimming pools. Don’t rely on electric pumps and town water as these services may be unavaialble during fire emergencies.
Remove door mats or flammable materials.
Maintain a fuel free zone around your fence line.
Never dump garden waste and other flammables in adjoining bushland areas.
Remove vegetation overhanging your house.
Clean decks, gutters and roof valleys.
Rake up bark, leaves and twigs. Do not place garden waste and other flammable materials in fuel free zones, firebreaks and fire access trails.
Clear firewood, other flammables and rubbish from under and around the house.
Make sure your property has clear access for fire trucks.
Insurance
Queensland is the most natural disaster impacted state in Australia, exposing our homes to repeated damage from devastating cyclones, floods and other disaster events such as bushfires. Many people have found out too late that they did not have enough home and contents insurance cover for their property and assets. Regardless if you are a home owner or a renter, this can be extremely costly and stressful. To find out more information about what you should be checking on your policy and questions to ask your insurer to ensure you are covered, check out Get Ready’s Step 3: Make Sure You’re Covered.
Find out more and Get Ready
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