Help and assistance
Major storms and cyclones can cause widespread power outages, leaving communities facing days without essential household needs.
Use camp stoves in well-ventilated places and make sure food is cooked thoroughly before eating.
Take care with candles or use battery-powered lanterns or torches instead, to prevent fire risk.
Listen to the radio for up-to-date news and advice AM frequencies are the most resilient channel. If you don’t have a battery-operated radio, perhaps listen in your car. Conserve phone battery, limit mobile phone calls and data use (which drains your battery).
NEVER use outdoor gas heaters inside or try to use your BBQ for heating.
Staying up to date and in touch
Phone lines can become overloaded quickly. Keep them clear so emergency calls can be made and, if you can, use text or online messaging to keep in touch.
Food safety and illness prevention
Take care with food from your fridge and freezer to avoid food poisoning and manage spoilage issues.
After more than two days without power, perishable foods may not be safe to eat.
Throw out rotten or contaminated food quickly so it doesn’t spoil other food in the fridge.
You can still eat raw vegetables, cheese and bread.
Dispose of food from the freezer which has thawed and been at room temperature for two hours or more.
When the power comes back on, do not refreeze (and use) defrosted food.
If you eat food that has gone off, you can risk infection from Salmonella, Campylobacter and a range of food poisoning bacteria. Managing hygiene around food preparation and cooking requires more thought than normal.
Always wash and dry your hands before preparing food. If water is in short supply, keep some in a bowl with disinfectant.
Ensure all utensils are clean before use.
Cook food thoroughly.
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