Hornsby Shire Council urges residents to get emergency prepared

Hornsby Shire Council urges residents to get emergency prepared

As EmergencyRedi Week approaches (16-22 September), Hornsby Shire Council is calling on residents to take proactive steps in safeguarding their families and houses in emergencies by downloading and completing an emergency plan on the Australian Red Cross' Get Prepared app.

The free, easy-to-use app is designed to help residents make important decisions ahead of time by creating a personal emergency plan. Individuals can establish a network of key support contacts, add vital information into one place, set up simple survival checklists and emergency actions, as well as share their emergency plan with others.

Spring is also a good time to start taking steps to protect your homes as the bush fire season approaches. The top five actions to make your home safer are:

1. Trim overhanging trees and shrubs to stop the fire spreading to your home (with approval where required).
2. Mow grass and remove the cuttings and have a cleared area around your home.
3. Remove material that can burn around your home, such as door mats, wood piles, mulch, leaves, paint and outdoor furniture.
4. Clear and remove all the debris and leaves from the gutters surrounding your home.
5. Prepare hoses that will reach all around your home.

Hornsby Shire Council's General Manager, Steven Head emphasised the importance of being prepared for emergencies.

"With natural disasters becoming more frequent and severe, Hornsby Shire isn't immune, and it's more important than ever to make an emergency plan and prepare your home. Emergencies often happen quickly, without a lot of warning and being prepared can help protect yourself and your loved ones," said Steven.

"You can take practical steps like preparing a survival kit with what you would need for an emergency, keeping your garden well maintained and creating a plan using the Get Prepared App."

The Get Prepared app is co-created by the Australian Red Cross and NRMA Insurance.

For more information, or to download the Get Prepared app, visit: https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/emergencies