The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released a survey conducted in October 2007 on household preparedness for emergency situations. The survey was held throughout New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.

The survey collected a range of information about households’ preparedness for and experiences of emergencies. This included the presence of safety precautions such as installing smoke alarms, easily accessible emergency phone numbers and having an emergency plan.

The statistics are very interesting with some useful reference points to just how prepared Victoria is for an emergency.

NSW, QLD and the ACT participated in the survey with Victoria. The survey was conducted as a supplement to the ABS Monthly Population Survey and broadly examined the steps households had taken in preparing for emergencies.

It is worth noting Victoria’s high preparedness for dealing with an emergency.

In Victoria 97% of homes have a smoke alarm installed (this is the highest percentage in Australia)

In Victoria 70% of households keep emergency phone numbers in a location for ease of use

In Victoria 54% of households who perceive themselves at risk of bushfire have an emergency plan, compared with 41% in NSW, and 35% in the ACT.

For the full report, with summary details, explanatory notes, related information and releases, visit the ABS report at
http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4818.0.55.001Main+Fe...