There’s more to being properly prepared for bushfire season than outside jobs such as clearing your gutters and trimming overhanging branches.
A well-organised bushfire emergency kit is crucial and starts with an emergency stockpile shopping list. This list covers all of the items you’ll need during an evacuation, as well as those you might require following a fire in your area, even if you aren’t directly impacted.1
“If your road access is cut off by a fire, then you will need enough food and drinking water to last for four or five days, taking into account that both your power and water supplies are likely to be cut off too,” says Jim Smith, volunteer firefighter and former Deputy Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW.
When compiling your shopping list, you may want to be prepared not only for direct bushfire impact but also for other factors such as road and shop closures and area-wide power cuts.
The benefits of early planning
Peak bushfire seasons vary across the country, but bushfires can happen at any time, depending on local conditions.2 Fires can also escalate within minutes, threatening lives and properties with little warning, so being properly prepared with a fully stocked emergency kit will allow you to quickly collect important items without succumbing to panic.3
“If you haven’t prepared and packed your essential items to leave and the fire is on your back doorstep, it’s too late to leave.”
“You need to have your plan in place well before fires develop. You need to have your essential items already packed and ready to go so that when the trigger to leave that you’ve identified in your bushfire survival plan occurs, you can just go.”
We’ve worked with Jim and consulted resources from fire services across the country to identify some of the key items you may need for your bushfire emergency kit. We’ve also created a downloadable shopping list to make it easier for you to be prepared.
Water and food
- Drinking water (at least three litres of bottled water per person per day is recommended),4 plus extra water for sanitation purposes.
- Non-perishable food, such as canned soups, baked beans, tinned tuna or salmon, energy bars, dried fruit and nuts. It might pay to check the expiration dates of your food each year. To ensure you have enough food for all members of your household, draft a meal plan using non-perishable foods before heading to the shops.5
- Can opener and basic utensils.
First aid and medications
- First-aid kit including bandages and non-adhesive dressings.6
- Over-the-counter medications such as painkillers and antihistamines.
- Prescription medications and copies of corresponding prescriptions.
- Artificial tears to help flush ash from your eyes and provide relief from smoke exposure.4
- One P2 mask per person to prevent smoke inhalation, plus spares.1
Communication and lighting
- Battery or solar-powered radio.
- Waterproof torch.
- Spare batteries.
- Mobile phone chargers.
- Power bank (remember to check the charge regularly).
- Contact details for friends, family and neighbours.
- Spare fully charged mobile phone. Key contact numbers to load into this phone include your state or territory emergency service information number, your local council, power company, doctor, and your friends and family members.7
Important documents and cash
- Driver’s licence or other photo ID.
- Passport.
- Will.
- Jewellery.
- Insurance information.
- Cash (ATMs might not be working).
- USB with scanned copies of important documents and photos.
- Hard-copy maps with your safest evacuation route marked, as well as alternative routes and petrol stations.1
- Waterproof bag for valuables.
Personal hygiene
- Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, personal hygiene products).
- Sanitary supplies.
- Sunscreen.
You may wish to also include:
- Rubbish bags.
- Tissues.
- Antibacterial wipes.
- Toilet paper.
- Insect repellent.
- Hand sanitiser.
- Towels.
Clothing and bedding
- Protective clothing for everyone in your household – long-sleeved shirts and long pants in sturdy natural fibres such as wool, cotton and denim.1
- Sturdy boots or shoes and woollen socks.1
- Wide-brimmed hat to protect from embers.8
- Waterproof backpack or overnight bag.
You may wish to also include:
- Sleeping bags and pillows.
- Camping mattresses.5
- Woollen blankets (at least one per person in your household).1
- Sun shelter (such as a sun umbrella or fold-up gazebo).
- Tent.
- Folding chairs.
Pack for your pets
In emergency situations, pets are often the most vulnerable members of the family. You may wish to make provisions for your pets and animals in your bushfire emergency kit. Items could include:9
- Cages, crates and carriers, as well as leads and harnesses
- Pet food and water to last several days
- Bowls and bedding
- Proof of vaccination and registration information
- Medications and vet contact numbers
- Favourite toys.
Special considerations
If you have babies or toddlers, older people or people with disabilities or special needs in your household, you may need to make extra provisions for them in your bushfire emergency kit.
For babies, consider including appropriate food, extra nappies, clothes and water to clean bottles and make formula. The Australian Breastfeeding Association has a list of resources to help protect bottle and breastfed babies and toddlers during emergencies.10
If you have young children, it might be a good idea to pack some books and games that don’t require power.
People with disability may need extra items, such as medications, aids and provisions for service animals. If you have neurodivergent family members, consider packing noise-cancelling earphones for them. In an emergency situation, there may be extra noise, so consider what they might need to stay calm and regulate emotions.7
How to stay bushfire ready
“Good planning is the essence of all emergency management,” says Jim.
“If you have a bushfire survival plan, you will know the area you live in and the prevention measures in place, you will have carried out your preparation in advance and, when you have to respond to leave or act, you will have a specific trigger to do so,” he expands.
“The plan keeps you calm. You know what to do in each situation, even down to the last resort.”
You may also want to download apps that can help keep you informed and consider some of the outdoor jobs you can do to give your property the best chance of surviving a bushfire. Remember, Jim advises that leaving early – and identifying a trigger for when to go – is always the best approach.
For more expert tips to help you get bushfire ready, visit our you.prepared emergency content hub.
Jim Smith
Jim Smith is an active Rural Fire Service volunteer and former Deputy Commissioner for Fire and Rescue NSW. Jim served as NSW State Emergency Service Commissioner and is a recipient of the Australian Fire Service Medal (2008) and the NSW State Emergency Services Commissioner’s Commendation for Service (2015). He is General Manager of workplace mental health consultancy Ordinary Courage and volunteers as a solicitor with Youth Law Australia. Youi is proud to partner with Jim in the creation of this bushfire preparedness content.
The content in this article has been prepared based on current government and emergency services guidelines and expert advice provided at the time of publishing. This information is subject to change. Please be sure to check for the latest information and always consider your personal circumstances regarding bushfire preparedness and response.
Where you have increased your cover or reduced your excess within 72 hours (or other period noted on your policy schedule) of a flood, storm, hail or bushfire occurring, cover will be limited to the amount that was effective prior to the change. Loss, damage or legal liability caused by, resulting or arising from flood, storm, hail or bushfire during the first 72 hours (or other period noted on your policy schedule) of your policy first being purchased is excluded unless certain conditions apply. Refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement for full T&Cs.
1 Source: SA Country Fire Service – Emergency kits
2 Source: Bureau of Meteorology – Bushfire weather
3 Source: Queensland Fire Department – Bushfire safety guide
4 Source: SA Country Fire Service – Nine things you need in your emergency kit
5 Source: Queensland Government – Pack an emergency kit
6 Source: Better Health – First aid kits
7 Source: ABC Emergency – What you'll need in your bushfire survival kit
8 Source: NSW Rural Fire Service – What to wear
9 Source: RSPCA – What preparations should I make for my pets in case of an emergency?
10 Source: Australian Breastfeeding Association – Emergency resources for babies and toddlers
