The bushfires continue to rage on in our country, and so many have been affected so far. From homes to animal habitats and forests, there has been so much loss and devastation that it's hard to keep track of the damage.
We urge everyone to continue being vigilant, to always check news outlets both online and offline, and to always be prepared for anything especially if there has been some reports of bushfires in your area.
If you haven't checked out our guides yet, please do so via these links:
Bushfires in AU continue | Fires Near Me: An Elinz Guide | Surviving Bushfires: Infographic Guide From Elinz
Please continue to be vigilant during these trying times, and help in whatever way you can.
Speaking of which, we've pooled $1000 to donate to a chosen foundation, but we haven't decided which one yet. Help us make the decision by voting on Facebook page- please follow this link to do so.
If we missed a foundation we should be giving it to, please feel free to let us know in our posts' comments section. Once the votes are in, we'll immediately send in the money we've pooled towards a foundation that can definitely help.
There's also tons of ways to help- a quick search should show where you need to look into if you'd like to help, whether monetarily or as a volunteer. Here's a quick & short list: Red Cross Australia, Salvation Army Australia, Country Fire Authority, Victorian Bushfire Appeal, And GivIt. If you're looking to volunteer your time and effort instead, head over to Emergency Volunteering in QLD.
There are tons more out there that need help- a quick google search should help you find a dozen different organizations looking to help and needing more support from people like you and me, and it doesn't always have to be financial or material.
Remember to always stay safe out there as well- like we said, our guides are available for your perusal as linked above; alternatively, here are some of our most important recommendations for different situations:
At home
Do keep your mobile devices and power sources, such as power banks and car battery chargers all charged up. You'll need them in the future for different kinds of purposes, especially for staying on top of the news, for contacting friends and family, and of course for quick navigation, should you need to leave your premises in case of an impending bushfire.
Pack the essentials ahead of time. Change of clothes for everyone in your family, first aid kits, lots of water, and canned food that won't go bad for long amounts of time. This is to make sure that you're ready to leave should the need ever arise.
In your vehicle
Make sure that your vehicles are in good condition. Like we said previous in our other guides, an OBD2 should be installed in your vehicle to make sure that it's in top condition mechanically, and that your tyres are perfect to go with a TPMS, or a tyre pressure monitoring system.
If you don't have any of those, get them in the future, and in the mean time have your vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic in your area. This makes sure that you're able to leave anytime you want, and well ahead of any bushfires that might come your way.
Your vehicle should have a reliable radio system to stay in touch with the news. Should the internet fail or any other communication method, good ol' radio is a great way to make sure that you're in the loop with things.
Don't forget a good GPS system is good to have. Some OBD2 systems have that integrated, but some car dvd player head units also have that available too; this all depends on you, but it's good to have three different navigational alternatives such as a mobile device.
Don't forget to bring the essentials, and have it packed ahead of time in your vehicle. Have a spare pack inside your home, and have another pack stowed away in your car. Another essential you need to remember is to bring a woolen blanket inside your vehicle, as its a heat retardant and is a great way to ward off radiant heat.
Be prepared to leave any time, and at a moment's notice. A few minutes could spell the difference between disaster, and effectively avoiding the bushfires; make sure that you have your keys well placed, and that you're ready to go at any time of the day.
With your community
Always stay in touch with your neighbors. Relay information with them at all times, especially if there's been alerts near your area of bushfires. What you know could help save their lives, and what they know as well could help the entire community evacuate early or do something about those bushfires.
Some of your neighbors might not be familiar with the internet, or might not have access to the same amount of information you have- its important to coordinate as you might be able to save a life in your community if you do so.
Stay in touch with your local government. Make sure that you have the hotlines on the ready, or saved on your mobile devices so that you're able to call the authorities should the need to do so arise.
All items such as the OBD2, the TPMS and car DVD player head units are all available here at Elinz- follow the links above to get yours today.
There you have it! Remember to always stay safe, stay aware of your surroundings an the news, prepare to leave anytime, and help whenever you can- we're all in this together!
Should you have suggestions for us, please make sure to message us on our Facebook page, as linked above.
