Multi-Hazard Home Preparedness Audit

Most homes have multiple unaddressed hazards. This audit covers the areas that matter most — fire, flood, structural safety, utilities, supplies, and communication — with actionable checklists you can complete in a single afternoon.

How to use this: Work through each section. Mark items as done, in progress, or not applicable. Revisit every 12 months.

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Section 1 — Fire Safety

Detection and Alerting

• Smoke alarm on every level of the home
• Smoke alarm inside and outside every sleeping area
• CO alarm on every level; within 10 metres of each sleeping area
• All alarms tested in the last month (press test button)
• All alarm batteries replaced in the last 12 months (or hardwired with backup)
• No alarm is older than 10 years (smoke) or 7 years (CO)

Extinguishing and Escape

• At least one fire extinguisher in the kitchen (Class F/K for cooking fires)
• Extinguisher inspected and in-date
• Everyone in the household knows how to use PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep)
• Fire escape plan created with two routes from every room
• Fire escape plan practised in the last 12 months
• Meeting point outside designated and known to all
• Keys accessible for locked windows on escape routes

Fire Prevention

• No build-up of combustibles near boiler, heater, or electrical panel
• Tumble dryer vent cleaned (lint is a fire risk)
• No overloaded electrical sockets (one plug per socket rule for high-draw appliances)
• Candles never left unattended; not used near flammables
• Appliances switched off at plug when not in use (especially overnight)

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Section 2 — Flood Readiness

External Protections

• Gutters and downpipes clear of debris
• Drains around property clear and unobstructed
• Airbricks and low vents covered or flood-guarded if property is flood-risk
• Flood barriers (sandbags or proprietary) stored and accessible
• Garden directed to drain away from the house

Internal Preparations

• Electrical sockets, fuse box, and boiler above potential flood level
• Valuables and documents not stored at ground level or in basement
• Water-sensitive items in basement raised off floor on shelving
• Home insurance reviewed — confirm flood cover is included
• Local flood alert service registered for your address

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Section 3 — Utilities — Shut-Off Knowledge

Every adult in the household should know where and how to shut off each utility in an emergency.

Utility	Action Required
Gas	[ ] Location of gas meter known; [ ] Everyone knows the quarter-turn shut-off
Electricity	[ ] Location of consumer unit/fuse box known; [ ] Main breaker can be identified and switched
Water	[ ] Location of stopcock known; [ ] Everyone can turn it off (clockwise = off)

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Section 4 — Structural and Physical Hazards

Heavy Items

• Tall furniture (bookshelves, wardrobes) secured to walls with furniture straps
• Heavy items stored at low levels, not high shelves (earthquake/instability risk)
• Water heater strapped to wall (in earthquake-prone areas)
• TVs secured or placed low — not on unsecured mounts

Hazardous Materials

• Chemicals (cleaning products, paints, solvents) stored in locked, ventilated area
• No chemical containers near heat sources
• Dispose of flammable waste correctly — do not accumulate rags soaked in oil or solvents

Access and Exits

• All exits can be opened quickly — not blocked by stored items
• At least one window per bedroom opens easily for emergency escape
• No trip hazards on main exit routes (especially at night)

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Section 5 — Emergency Supplies

Water

• Minimum 3 litres per person per day stored (2-week supply for the household)
• Storage rotated every 6–12 months
• Water purification method available (tablets, filter, or means to boil)

Food

• Minimum 2-week supply of non-perishable food
• Manual tin opener stored with food supplies
• Dietary needs for all household members met in stored food

First Aid and Medical

• First aid kit stocked and in-date
• 30-day supply of all prescription medications (or written prescription to obtain emergency supply)
• First aid training current (recommended every 3 years)
• AED accessible if a household member has cardiac risk

Tools and Equipment

• Torches with fresh batteries (or rechargeable, fully charged)
• Battery or hand-crank radio
• Portable power bank (charged)
• Spare cash in small denominations
• Whistle for signalling
• Basic tools (adjustable wrench, screwdriver, pliers)

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Section 6 — Communication and Plans

Plans

• Emergency contact list — printed (phones fail)
• Out-of-area contact designated for family to check in with
• Meeting place agreed if you cannot return home
• Evacuation route planned and practised
• Household members know what to do without being told

Documents

• Key documents copied and stored off-site or in encrypted cloud
• Go-bag with documents ready to grab in 60 seconds

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Scoring and Priority

If you have fewer than half the items complete in any section, that section is your priority. The highest-risk items to address first:

Priority	Item	Why
1	Smoke and CO alarms working	Most preventable deaths in the home
2	Gas/electricity/water shut-off knowledge	Stops a bad situation from becoming catastrophic
3	Fire escape plan practised	Untested plans fail under stress
4	3-day water and food supply	Covers most short-term disruptions
5	Emergency contacts list (printed)	Phones break, get lost, or run out of power

Complete the highest-priority items first. A fully stocked pantry is less useful than a working smoke alarm.