Prepare for extreme weather

Use these questions to help you plan for extreme weather by considering various scenarios and issues that may arise:

• Have you prepared/updated your Red Cross RediPlan which can store your emergency information, important phone numbers, medical plan, plan for pets, and insurance information? 
• Are you in a flood zone? If you have interest access visit our flood information page on the SES website for more information on who to check and prepare.
• If your home prepared for an extreme weather event? Are the roof and gutters maintained, cracks in foundations or exterior walls sealed, branches trimmed and loose items removed around your home?
• Does your air conditioner work? If it is a split system, have the air filters been cleaned recently?
• Have you considered the extreme weather circumstances that would cause you to leave home?
• If it’s not your home, have your considered where you would go in extreme weather? Have you checked the opening hours and accessibility? 
• Do you have a primary and alternative transport option to leave home if required?
• Can a friend or family member gain entry to your house to help you if needed (e.g. with a spare key)?
• If you have any medical conditions or disabilities, have your considered how to manage them in extreme weather events?
• Do you have an emergency kit prepared? Read more about what to pack on the RedCross website. 
• In the event of a power failure, can you easily exit your home? If you have an electronic garage, can you access and use the manual override?
• Do you have a way to charge your smart phone, e.g. a car charger or portable battery pack?
• Consider getting to know your neighbours so you can check on each other.

Co-designed with older Bayside residents, we have developed the Prepare for Extreme Weather in Bayside – A checklist for older residents. It can be completed by yourself or someone who supports you such as carers, family, friends or neighbours. 

This self-assessment checklist provides a series of questions to help you prepare for extreme weather events. It includes a map of cool locations across Bayside where you can go if you can’t stay home. 

The checklist can be used in conjunction with the RedCross RediPlan lite to further assist your planning, which suggests  storing emergency information, important phone numbers, your medical plan, plan for pets and more. 

You can print a copy of the Prepare for Extreme Weather In Bayside checklist and the RedCross RediPlan lite.

Or pick up a copy from the Bayside Corporate Centre at 76 Royal Avenue Sandringham or any Bayside library. 

Limited copies of the full RediPlan are available upon request or can be downloaded on their website. This document provides further details on how to prepare.

Please note: this checklist is not intended for emergency purposes, please see emergencies section below for further information.

Prepare your home for a changing climate with the following tips:

• Ensure your home is adequately insured. The Australian Government’s MoneySmart website explains what to look for in insurance products so you can find the right policy for your needs.
• Prepare and pack an emergency kit. For examples on what to pack, see the RedCross and CFA website.
• Is your home at risk of flooding? See the flooding page for tips on how to prepare for floods or VicSES.
• Keep your garden well maintained and free from loose items. For example, trim trees and branches, mow your lawn and remove any leaf litter.
• Check your gutters and drains to ensure they are working properly and free from debris.
• Ensure your home is structurally okay - fix cracks in the foundations and walls.
• Identify loose items around your yard or balcony that may need to be secured or put away.
• Improve your home thermal comfort – consider draught proofing, insulation and double-glazing windows.
• Do you have adequate heating and cooling? Check if the filters require replacing. If you don’t have an air conditioner or would like to install an energy efficient system, seek advice through our Electrify Everything program. 

Further information can be found in our Sustainable Design Fact sheets and via Sustainability Victoria’s website.

Climate and weather directly and indirectly affect our health, wellbeing and safety. 

For example, extreme weather events like heat waves can increase illness and death rates. Particularly vulnerable people, such as those who have existing medical conditions, take certain medications, are socially isolated or live alone, may have limited ways to keep cool.

It’s important to take steps to protect yourself and others, including your pets. 

Stay home if it is safe to do so.

If you don’t feel well, call your doctor, Nurse-On-Call on 1300 606 024, or  000 (triple zero) in an emergency.

Helpful tips

• Drink plenty of water - take a bottle with you always.
• Never leave children, adults or pets in hot cars. The temperature inside can double within minutes.
• Seek out air-conditioned buildings, draw your blinds, use a fan, take cool showers and dress in light and loose natural fabrics.
• Schedule activities in the coolest part of the day and avoid exercising in the heat.
• If you must go out, wear a hat and sunscreen and carry water with you.

Plan ahead

• Stock up on food, water and medicines so you don’t have to go out.
• Store medicines safely at the recommended temperature.
• Check that your fan or air-conditioner works well. Have your air-conditioner serviced if necessary.
• Make your home cooler by installing window coverings, shade cloths or external blinds on the sides of the house facing the sun.

Look out for your neighbours, especially those who are living alone, older and very young, people with a medical condition and don’t forget your pets.

More information

Better Health - Climate change and health page 

Better Health – Heat-related health problems

Vic Health 

Refer to the Prepare for Extreme Weather Checklist map for locations to keep cool if home isn’t an option

Power outages can occur at any time. 

For advice on what to do during a power outage, refer to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s guide to power outages. 

It’s important to be familiar with food safety during a power outage. For information on safe handling of food, see Food Safety Information Council.

There are many resources out there to help you understand your risks and better prepare, such as: 

• Victorian SES – understand what you need to know about each extreme weather event, how to plan and stay safe
• Country Fire Authority (CFA) – learn about fires, total fire bans and how to be safe during fire danger periods
• RedCross - access a range of resources to help prepare or recover from a disaster
• Health Vic – for advice on how to keep well during extreme weather events.