Windy Emergencies Prevail Along The Eastcoast: ABS
In the last two years the most common type of emergency experienced by NSW, VIC, QLD and the ACT
households was storm, wind or hail according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics
(ABS).
The storm, wind and hail emergencies occurred in 15,300 (12%) of ACT households, 192,700 (7%) of NSW
households, 92,700 (6%) of QLD households and 69,100 (3%) of VIC households.
The ABS publication Household Preparedness for Emergencies, NSW, Vic., Qld and ACT, October 2007
reports on the experiences of households who had a recent emergency and the steps households had taken in
preparing for emergencies. Some selected highlights include:
In the last two years, the ACT had the highest percentage of households (18%) who had experienced
an emergency followed by NSW (12%), QLD (10%) and VIC (8%).
Close to a quarter of households who experienced an emergency contacted emergency services. (VIC
24%, NSW 21%, ACT 17% and QLD 15%).
Approximately half of QLD, NSW and VIC households and over a third of ACT households who
experienced an emergency implemented changes for better emergency preparedness.
Smoke alarms were the most common safety precaution. Nearly 100% of homes had a smoke alarm
installed (VIC 97%, NSW 94%, QLD 94% and the ACT 90%).
A written or rehearsed emergency plan was the least common safety precaution implemented by
households in VIC (15%), ACT (15%) and NSW (13%). In QLD the two least implemented
precautions in homes were fire blankets (19%) and a written or rehearsed emergency plan (20%).
One in three households did not keep emergency phone numbers in a location for ease of use (QLD
39%, ACT 38%, NSW 36% and VIC 30%).
Nearly one-fifth of all households had at least one household member who would have difficulties
evacuating the home without help in an emergency.
Further details are available in Household Preparedness for Emergencies: NSW, Vic., Qld and ACT, October
2007 (cat. no. 4818.0.55.001) and available for free download from the ABS website <www.abs.gov.au>.
FURTHER INFORMATION: Media requests and interviews
Dean Souter (02) 6252 5691; 0438 018 814
Richard Lynch (02) 6252 6139; 0407 107 931
Statistical clarification
NSW Emily Hansen (02) 9268 4566
VIC Fiona Shalley (03) 9615 7510
QLD Cassie McFarling (07) 3222 6330
ACT Brent Perkins (02) 6252 8911
SOURCE: Australian Bureau of Statistics
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