SOURCE: https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/prepare/organise/ FETCHED: 2026-11-03 16:00 AEDT - Prepare for emergencies: get organised | Australian Red Cross - - - - - - - - Search Donate Open menu - Home - Emergencies and disasters - Prepare - Get organised # Step 3: Get organised ##### Prepare important documents, check insurance, and plan for pets, children, and sentimental items. ### Store your important documents Identifying yourself, proving ownership of your home/car and providing details for your insurance cover can become a real headache without the original paperwork or copies of it. Have copies of your key documents in one place outside your home: ID and visa documents, birth and marriage certificates, ownership documents, insurance, ongoing prescriptions. The Australian Government’s Digital ID app, myID is fast and easy. This helps you stay in control if you need to check in to an evacuation centre or apply for replacement documentation. #### Get or update your insurance Having adequate insurance cover can help you avoid major financial stresses related to your home, business, health or income. Consider coverage for: - your family's health, including pets - your home and contents - income protection and business #### Plan for babies' and young childrens' needs Evacuation centres may not be set up to meet babies and young children’s needs. Consider: - baby formula, sterilised bottles and enough clean water for a few days - suitable food and medication - books, toys and games Resources for parents and carers #### Identify items of sentimental value Think about the important items in your life that would cause distress if they were lost. Ask each of the family to identify theirs. - Identify where each of these are - Store a box or bag for smaller items - Make copies or take photos of item - Work out how you might protect items that can't be removed easily ### Take another step #### Get in the know Understand local risks, manage stress, and know where to get information and help. #### Get connected Build a support network, plan with your household, and choose safe meeting places. #### Get packing Pack an emergency kit to stay safe and support your recovery – no matter what happens. ##### Create your Emergency Plan with our template Download ##### Keep your plan close with our Get Prepared app Learn more ##### Build a survival kit with our checklist Download # One step ahead ##### Help communities be prepared before disaster strikes. Donate now Australian Red Cross acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land, their ancestors and Elders, past and present. Learn about our Reconciliation Action Plan and how we can all make reconciliation real . This website may contain the images, voices or names of people who have passed away. About - About us - Governance - Research and reports - History and heritage - Careers Resources - For school students - For parents and educators - For businesses - For journalists More - International Humanitarian Law - Humanitech - Australian Red Cross Lifeblood - Subscribe to our newsletter Connect with us All donations to Australian Red Cross are tax-deductible in Australia. Site protected by Google Invisible reCAPTCHA. © Australian Red Cross 2026. ABN 50 169 561 394