A little preparation can save a mountain of heartaches.

Be prepared

Chelsea SES are always there when you need our help, but there are a number of things that you can do, to give yourself, the best chance to avoid damage or injury in a storm or flood situation.

Storms approaching

VICSES have instigated initiatives like Flood Safe and Storm Safe to give you the information you need to prepare for these events in the best way possible. It is also very important to understand the do's and dont's following one of these severe weather events that we seem to be experiencing more frequently.

Bikes and bins and other loose things can become airborne in high winds

Outdoor furniture can start like this...

And end up like this

Simple things, like ensuring that if a storm is approaching, you secure any loose objects around your property like outdoor furniture, children's toys and bikes, any of these can quickly become missiles in high winds. Check and clear downpipes and guttering on a regular basis. Develop a Family Home Emergency Plan that will have everything included such as a Home Emergency Kit that will keep you going for a time if the worst happens and you are left without power or become stranded for any reason.

Dead trees are quick to fall in even light winds

Another important tip is to check trees on your property. Look for changes in healthy trees and act quickly if you find major changes to the tree; also, ensure that you clear any dead trees from around your property; even a dead tree can cause significant damage to your home as well as the very real risk of serious injury, or worse, to you and your family. Don't risk it, remove it!

Hail makes a real mess of cars and other vehicles left outside

In the event of a large thunderstorm heading your way, it is quite often accompanied by large hail, with this in mind, if you can get your vehicle under cover, you will minimise the risk of damage by hailstones.

Home emergency kit

It can be a great idea to get the kids involved as well. Let them help to put your emergency kit together, ask them for their ideas as to what should be included and remember to add some things to keep them amused in case of long periods of no power or even being evacuated to a centre.

You don't know what you're getting into!

One of the biggest issues following major storms that can lead to flash flooding or longer term river flooding, is the number of people that still attempt to drive through flood waters. No matter how well you think you know the road and your vehicles capabilities, the simple truth is that if you can't see the bottom you have no idea what is there, or what was there, and is now gone. Don't do it, the risks are too high. We often see children and adults playing and even swimming in flood waters and flooded roads, if you had any idea of just what is mixed with the water you would not go near it, however, we still see parents laughing with their children as they frolic in raw sewage and other, equally nasty, additives. Flood water is not a swimming pool or beach it is a very dangerous, constantly changing and unpredictable mass which people should simply avoid at all costs, when you enter flood waters; you don't know what you're getting into!