Get to know your neighbours

Getting to know your neighbours is an important part of preparing your household. Neighbours can often provide help to those who need greater assistance during emergency situations. You and your neighbours can work together to prepare your homes, provide shelter and look after pets during a disaster.

Think about people in your neighbourhood who may need your help:

• Older people living by themselves.
• People with physical or sensory disabilities.
• People with a chronic illness or with a mental illness.
• Single parents with young children.
• Large families.
• People newly arrived, including tourists, refugees or immigrants.

Neighbours can help each other in many ways and can include people in your street or community:

• Talk to your neighbours to identify those who may need assistance – keep in mind that many people value their privacy.
• Make a list of tasks neighbours can help each other with. Does anyone have special skills such as medical, technical, trade?
• Plan how the neighbourhood could work together after a disaster.
• Share information with your neighbours about what is happening.
• Help your neighbours to secure their property prior to a cyclone or storm, provide a place to shelter while an emergency occurs or help in the clean-up after a disaster. Or you could sit down and have a cup of tea and chat about what has happened.

How can I get to know my neighbour?

• Introduce yourself.
• Invite them over for morning tea or a barbeque.
• Share your resources like a ladder, plant cuttings or excess herbs from your garden.
• Organise a friendly sporting game, such as cricket or soccer, at the local park.
• Offer to put their bins on the kerb when they are away.
• Going to the tip? Ask if there is anything you can dispose of for them.
• When preparing for weather events, ask your neighbours if they need any help.