Emergencies can strike at any time and can destroy homes and valuables, damage your health, upset routines and can lead to significant financial pressures. Some of us feel the effects of a disaster for a long time and, for some, lives will never return to the way they were before.

While emergency services do all they can to help, the person most responsible for your wellbeing before, during and after an emergency is you.

But there are things you can do now to help you and your loved ones prepare for disasters so you can get your lives back to normal with less stress and anxiety.

Being prepared for a bushfire, cyclone, flood or whatever disaster may come your way means you’re more likely to cope and get your life back on track.

There are numerous fantastic resources online to assist you in researching and preparing your emergency and disaster plans.

The Red Cross Redi Plan is a free disaster preparedness guide that shows you and your family how to create a personalised emergency plan in just four simple steps:

Step 1: Get in the know

Understand the risks you face, how your life might be disrupted and who can help – before disaster strikes.

Step 2: Get connected

Connect with your community so you can help each other in an emergency and during the recovery journey afterwards.

Step 3: Get organised

Think through what might happen during and after an emergency and take action to protect the important things in your life.

Step 4: Get packing

Identify and pack things that might help you survive in an emergency and get you back on your feet quickly.

This free guide is packed with helpful hints and clever strategies on how to prepare for disasters and make your emergency plan. The Red Cross website also offers a multitude of resources for different types of emergency via their resources page.

Emergencies don’t discriminate, be prepared!

Visit the Red Cross website here.

*This post was not sponsored.