Get Ready for summer: Plan now for seasonal hazards

Published on 03 December 2021

Wingecarribee Shire Council is encouraging families, friends and neighbours to use the start of summer as the start of a conversation about being aware of and prepared for seasonal hazards.

“Aussie summers are iconic,” said Council’s General Manager Lisa Miscamble. “But they can also be tragic.”

“Each year, communities across NSW experience bush fires, home fires, storms, floods, heatwaves, power outages and other emergencies.

“The start of summer should be the start of a conversation around being prepared for the multiple hazards communities across NSW and our Shire may face.”

Commissioner of Resilience NSW, Shane Fitzsimmons encouraged everyone to have a conversation around being prepared for emergency, whatever the hazard may be.

“Our emergency service organisations do an incredible job keeping us safe, but they can only do so much,” he said.

“Being aware and prepared is everyone’s responsibility, whether you’re at home, at work or away on holidays.”

Get Ready for summer now in five simple steps:

1. Know your risk.

Think about the area you’re in or the location of your holiday destination and the types of disasters that could affect you.

2. Plan now for what you will do.

Sit down and talk with your family and plan for what you will do if a disaster affects your area or when you are away on holidays.

3. Get your home ready.

Prepare your home by doing general home maintenance and checking your insurance coverage.

4. Be aware.

Find out how to prepare, what to do if there is a disaster in your area or while you are away on holidays and connect with NSW emergency services or keep on top of news reports if travelling so you can stay informed.

5. Look out for each other.

Share information with your family, friends, neighbours and those who may need assistance. Get Ready is a community preparedness program coordinated by Resilience NSW.