The Do 1 thing program encourages people to take one simple action to help prepare themselves, their family, and their home for emergencies.

Getting prepared can feel overwhelming, especially when time is limited. The Do 1 thing approach encourages community members to focus on one practical action. By committing to a single preparedness activity, people are more likely to get started and build preparedness in a simple, achievable way.  

VICSES Do 1 thing Action Boxes

The Do 1 thing action boxes are featured at community events and engagement activities to encourage conversations about storm and flood preparedness. Participants take a simple, hands-on activity from the options below to improve their emergency readiness. 

Participants can choose to:

• Download the VicEmergency app
• Secure loose items around your home
• Clear gutters and drains
• Check your Local Flood Guide
• Trim trees and overhanging branches
• Pack an emergency kit
• Create an emergency plan
• Keep a battery-powered radio handy
• Save the VICSES emergency assistance number in your phone: 132 500

We have put together a list of simple actions you can do to help yourself and your family safe during emergencies.  Many of these tasks are easy to complete before a disaster occurs, such as clearing your gutters or stocking up on spare batteries.

Choose one thing from the list below and take action to build your emergency preparedness and resilience.  
 

Do one thing to make your home safer

• Buy a solar-powered battery charger.  

• Keep spare batteries for torches and other essential devices.

• Create an emergency kit.

• Service your generator.

• Learn how to safely turn off the power, water and gas in your home to help reduce damage during storms or floods.  

• Secure loose items around your property. 

• Clear your gutters regularly. 

• Trim back trees or branches that overhang your home.

• Check that your home and/or contents insurance is current.

• Learn more about flood cover from AAMI - Does My Home Insurance Include Flood Cover? 

Find out more ways to prepare on our plan and stay safe at home and plan and stay safe at work pages.
 

Do one thing to make your time on the roads safer

When you are driving, your focus should always be on the road. The safety of you, and your passengers depends on it. 

• Take a break every two hours - look for a Driver Reviver site during holiday periods and long weekends. 

• Check that your car insurance is current (check out AAMI Insurance if you need a quote).

• Create an emergency kit for your car.

• Check your tyres regularly and replace them when needed.

• Tell someone where you are heading, and when you expect to arrive.

• Learn how to protect your vehicle if hail is forecast, with advice from AAMI.  

• Refresh the road safety rules. 

Find out more ways to stay safe on our plan and stay safe on the road page.
 

Do one thing to make your trip safer

• Set a VicEmergency watch zone where you are camping.

• Create an emergency plan and pack an emergency pack BEFORE your trip. 

• Check the weather forecast in advance to prepare for changing conditions.

Find out more ways to stay safe on our plan and stay safe on holidays page.
 

Do one thing to prepare before a flood

• Set a watch zone in the VicEmergeny App for your home or holiday destination.

• Read the local flood guide and understand the risks in your area.

• Take steps now to become flood ready.

• Know what to do during heavy rain or riverine flooding.

• Stay away from floodwater - you never know what the water contains. 

• Learn how to prepare your home for floods with advice from our principal partner AAMI.

Find out more information on our plan and stay safe before during and after a flood page.
 

Do one thing to prepare before a storm 

• Know who to call if you are impacted by a storm - call 132 500 for VICSES assistance, call 000 for life-threatening emergencies. 

• Plan what you will do and what you will take if you need to evacuate. 

• Park your car undercover and away from trees when severe weather is forecast.

• Clean your gutters, downpipes and drains to reduce the risk of blockages.

• Secure outdoor furniture, umbrellas, trampolines and other loose items. 

• Prepare your home for storms with advice from our principal partner AAMI.

Find out more ways to stay safe on our Stay Safe in a storm page.