Tropical Cyclone Alfred safety guide: how to prepare to shelter in your home

With Tropical Cyclone Alfred to hit land on Friday, the safest option for the majority of residents is to shelter at home. How should you best protect your property?

Queensland residents prepare for Cyclone Alfred to hit land. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass, Glenn Campbell, Steve Pohlner

As Cyclone Alfred looms Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said sheltering at home is the safest option for a majority of residents in southeast Queensland and northern NSW. Get Ready Queensland has released updated advice on how to best prepare for sheltering in your own home.

Secure outdoor items

• Remove or tie down outdoor furniture, pot plants and loose objects that could become dangerous missiles in high winds

Find the strongest, smallest room with the least windows

• A small, internal room away from big windows will be the safest room in your house
• A bathroom, walk-in wardrobe or hallway are popular options
• If you have to be in a room with windows they should be covered with a mattress or heavy blanket to protect you from broken glass if the window breaks

The Anatomy of Cyclone Alfred

Tape plastic sheeting to your windows, no need to tape an ‘X’

• Taping plastic sheeting or garbage bags to your windows and sealing the edges with tape will help keep wind and rain out
• Securing plastic sheeting, blankets or towels to your windows will protect you from potentially broken glass
• Taping an X on your windows does not increase the strength of the windows or make them any less likely to smash

Brisbane residents collecting sandbags from the Boondall sandbagging location. Picture: David Clark

Close every door and window in your house and line door gaps with towels

• Any wind or rain entering your house increases internal pressure to your home, which puts pressure on the roof
• It is recommended to close every door and window, including internal doors
• Putting towels at the bottom gaps of doors can help prevent wind pressure entering your home
• Mattresses are effective in boarding up windows and doors

Using sandbags to protect your home

• Place sandbags outside entry points of your home to prevent floodwater from reaching

Create an emergency kit that is water and windproof

• Put valuables, medications, passports, documents together in a plastic bag so they can be at hand if you need to evacuate

Know how to turn off your utilities and move electrical items off the floor

• You may be instructed to turn off your gas, electricity, solar or water services
• Make note of where these switches are and how they can be turned off
• Cyclones can cause power surges or flooding, which could become hazardous with electrical and gas appliances on

People watch the waves at Snapper Rocks. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Inspect your roof for damage and clear your gutters

• Gutters clogged with debris can cause a leak, damaging the roof of your home

Other safety measures

• Park your vehicle in a safe, covered location well before the weather worsens
• Fill your bathtub or a bucket with water to keep essentials running, like flushing the toilet if the water supply is disrupted
• Have candles, matches and torches with batteries ready in case the power goes out