General home maintenance:

•  Keep the roof in good condition and check it regularly.
•  Keep gutters and downpipes clear so water can drain quickly.
•  Trim trees and overhanging branches close to the house (beware powerlines).
•  Check and fix corrosion, rotten timber, termite infestations and loose fittings.

General home preparations:

•  Ensure home, contents and car insurance is current and adequate. Check your policy includes debris clean-up and removal.
•  Identify your strongest room to shelter in during a severe storm or cyclone.
•  Identify where and how to turn off main supply for water, power and gas.
•  Have items such as water storage containers, spare fuel for your vehicle (store it safely), camp stove and fuel for cooking without power.

If you live in a flood-prone area:

•  Store all poisons and garden chemicals well above ground level.
•  Identify indoor items you will need to raise or empty if flood threatens.
•  Consider alternatives to carpet and relocate power-points to well above previous flood levels (using a licensed contractor).
•  Prepare your own sandbags to help protect your home.

If you live in a cyclone / severe storm-prone area:

•  Arrange for a professional builder to check your building and identify ways you can increase the structural security of your home to withstand high winds.
•  Fit windows with shutters or metal screens for added protection during high winds.

Final home preparations:

•  For when warnings are issued for a cyclone or severe storm.
•  Disconnect electrical appliances and external television / radio aerials and turn off electricity and gas main supplies if instructed to do so.
•  Secure outdoor furniture and garden items.
•  Fill buckets and bath with clean water in case of interruptions to water supply.
•  Close windows with shutters or tape windows with strong tape. Draw curtains.

For when warnings are issued for flood:

•  Disconnect all your electrical appliances.
•  Move outdoor equipment, garbage, chemicals and household poisons to a higher location.
•  Empty and raise freezers / refrigerators and stack or move your furniture, valuables and electrical items off-site.
•  Sandbag internal drains and toilets to prevent sewage backflow.
•  Move livestock, plant and feed to higher ground.