Natural disasters don’t send invitations. They strike without warning, and when they do, families need more than torches and bottled water. They need a plan.
For many of us, the idea of facing a bushfire, flood, or storm with kids in tow feels overwhelming. But preparation changes everything. When we know what to do, where to go, and how to keep our children safe and calm, the unknown becomes manageable.
This guide walks through practical steps and emotional strategies to help families prepare, respond, and recover. Whether new to emergency planning or revisiting an old checklist, there’s something here to help everyone feel more ready, together.
Know the risks in your area
Before packing a kit or drawing up a plan, we need to know what we’re preparing for. Different regions face different threats. Families living near bushland face fire risks, while others closer to rivers should watch flood warnings.
Start with a location-specific risk check. Local councils, the Bureau of Meteorology, and state emergency services offer hazard maps and real-time alerts. Subscribe to official channels like Get Ready Queensland, download emergency apps, and monitor warning systems.
Understanding our local risks gives context for everything else we do. It informs how we pack, where we go, and what we tell our kids.
Core steps to disaster preparedness (for the whole family)
Preparing your home for disasters doesn’t need to be complex. Four key steps help families build a solid foundation, include:
Step 1: Assess, understand and plan
Preparation starts with understanding our environment, our family’s needs, and how we’ll respond under pressure.
- Identify potential hazards based on your location.
- Draw up a family emergency plan: include escape routes, meeting points, and communication strategies.
- Assign roles: who grabs the kit, who handles the pets, who watches the kids.
- Include contingencies for different times: middle of the night, school hours, weekends.
- Don’t aim for perfection. A basic plan beats no plan at all.
Step 2: Stay connected and communicate
When something happens, communication becomes everything.
- Save emergency numbers in every phone, plus print a hard copy for the emergency kit.
- Set up group messaging with extended family or trusted neighbours.
- Teach older kids how to make emergency calls and when to use them.
- Keep a list of contacts taped inside the pantry or stuck on the fridge, somewhere visible.
- No plan works unless everyone knows it.
Step 3: Prepare safe spaces and secure essentials
Home becomes either a haven or a hazard during emergencies.
- Clear gutters, trim branches, secure loose items around the yard.
- Choose the safest room in the house for shelter if staying put. Ideally somewhere windowless, internal, and elevated during floods.
- Back up important documents digitally, and keep physical copies waterproofed and accessible.
- Prepared spaces protect more than property, they offer calm during chaos.
Step 4: Build your emergency kit and go bag
The go bag isn’t just a box of supplies, it’s peace of mind. Pack essentials to last at least 72 hours:
- Drinking water, non-perishable food, manual can opener
- First aid supplies, personal hygiene products, basic medications
- Flashlight, batteries, radio, charger (solar or power bank)
- Spare clothes, sturdy shoes, blankets
- Copies of IDs, insurance, contact list
- Add comfort items for children:
– Favourite toy or blanket
– Small games, colouring books
– Snacks they enjoy - Include items for pets: food, leash, documents. Store bags where they can be grabbed fast, near the exit or in the car boot.
Talking to your children about disasters
Children sense tension long before words explain it. When we speak calmly and clearly, we give them tools to cope, not just during a crisis, but in life.
Adapt the message by age:
- Young kids: Use simple phrases. “Sometimes storms get big, and we have a plan to stay safe.” Keep the tone gentle.
- Primary-aged: Explain what might happen, what steps the family will take, and how they can help.
- Teens: Be honest. Invite their questions. Discuss how media coverage may affect them emotionally.
- Reassure them: “We’re prepared. We know what to do.” Avoid frightening details. Focus on empowerment.
Psychological readiness and building resilience
Preparedness isn’t just physical. Mental and emotional resilience matter just as much. When disaster looms, children often watch their caregivers more than the news. Our stress becomes theirs. Managing our reactions helps regulate theirs.
Use basic techniques:
- Deep breathing: “In through the nose, out through the mouth.”
- Positive self-talk: “We have a plan. We’ll be okay.”
- Grounding: Ask children to name five things they see, four things they feel, three they hear.
Some parents find value in frameworks like the “High Five Model”, covering safety, connection, calmness, self-efficacy, and hope. The structure helps guide conversations and emotional preparation.
What to do during a disaster
In the moment, stay steady.
- Follow the plan. Move with purpose.
- Speak clearly. Keep instructions short.
- Turn off utilities if advised.
- Keep children close, physically and emotionally.
- Provide updates in simple terms: “We’re heading to Nan’s house now, like we practiced.”
- Unexpected challenges may come. Remaining flexible and calm makes all the difference.
After the natural disaster: Recovery and emotional support
Returning home may not feel like returning to normal. Children may still be affected. Let them express emotions through drawing, storytelling, or play. Keep routines steady: meals, bedtime, school. See our guide on how to talk to kids after natural disasters for more.
- Limit exposure to distressing images or news coverage.
- Listen without rushing to fix.
- Reassure safety through action, keeping their environment calm and familiar.
- Monitor behaviours over time. Seek professional help if distress lingers.
- Rebuilding happens in stages. Emotional recovery takes time, often longer than physical cleanup.
Special considerations
Each family carries unique needs.
- For children with disabilities: pack tailored supplies, medical plans, and include carers in the emergency plan.
- Non-English-speaking households may benefit from translated resources or pictorial guides.
- Single-parent homes may need a backup adult who can step in during emergencies.
- Rural families face added challenges: distance, communication limits, isolated roads. Consider alternative routes and backup power sources.
- Planning around our realities keeps everyone safer.
Tools, templates and resources
Ready-made tools simplify the process:
- Checklists: Emergency kits, evacuation plans, pet supplies
- Apps: Fires Near Me, BOM Weather, Australian Warning System
- Documents: Red Cross emergency templates, local SES plans
- Support services: ABC Emergency, Kids Helpline, local council contacts
- Print critical info. Keep copies in the emergency kit and digitally in the cloud.
Stay prepared
Natural disasters bring enough stress. Preparation shouldn’t add more. Start small. Print a checklist. Talk through a plan at dinner. Pack the first items in a go bag.
Each step adds peace, control, and confidence, for us, for our kids, and for the days when things don’t go as expected. Let’s not wait for sirens to get ready. Our families deserve to feel safe before the storm.
Spanning Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and beyond, Kids on the Coast is your trusted online guide and free printed magazine for parents. We cover kids’ events and activities, attractions and things to do with kids, schools and education, school holiday guides, family health & wellbeing, plus the latest parenting and lifestyle news. Based in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, QLD.
