Day 11 - Mental Health First Aid with Josh, Event Responder
This R U OK? Day, we’re reminded that checking in with each other can save lives. St John Event Responder Josh knows this firsthand - he’s seeing more mental health emergencies presentations at events and in the community than ever before.
With 1 in 5 Australians experiencing a mental health issue each year, the chances are high that someone you know — a friend, family member, neighbour, or colleague — will be affected. But mental health challenges aren’t always easy to recognise.
That’s where Mental Health First Aid training comes in. St John’s courses give you the tools to:
Identify early signs and symptoms of mental ill-health
Approach and support someone in need
Respond confidently and safely in a crisis
Encourage people to seek further professional help
By learning these skills, you’re not just preparing yourself — you’re strengthening your community.
💛 Get ready: Do a Mental Health First Aid course with St John.
Find out more:
https://www.stjohnsa.com.au/shop-our-courses
#30Days30WaysAUS #GetReady #RUOKDay #MentalHealthFirstAid #Stjohnambulance_sa
Day 10 - Preparing for Power Outage
Occasional power outages are a part of life in South Australia. They can be frustrating, but with some simple preparation, you can stay safe, connected, and comfortable until the lights come back on.
Cecilia’s top tips:
Stay connected: Keep a portable back-up battery to charge your phone.
Essential supplies: Stock up on spare batteries for your torch and portable radio.
Plan ahead: Visit the SA Power Networks website for outage information, tips, and tools to build your household power plan.
Look out for others: Power outages can have serious impacts on regional communities and those who rely on life support equipment. Make sure you have a plan in place and check in on vulnerable family, friends, and neighbours.
While power outages are disruptive, planning ahead means you can stay safe and help others who may need extra support
👉 Take five minutes today and prepare your power outage plan -
sapowernetworks.co/When-the-power-goes-out
#30Days30WaysAUS #GetReady #PowerOutages #Sa_powernetworks
Day 9 - Home Fire Escape Plan
When fire strikes, seconds matter. Declan Dwyer has seen it firsthand in more than three decades of firefighting. His message is clear: a well-practiced home fire escape plan saves lives.
Declan’s key advice:
Inside access: Make sure all doors and windows can be opened from the inside. If they need keys, keep them close by.
Smoke alarms: Know how they sound and what to do when they go off — every family member should be prepared.
Meeting point: Agree on a safe outdoor location, like the letterbox, so everyone knows where to gather.
Escape routes: Identify at least two exits from each room. Walk through them as a family — can everyone get out using those routes, including kids or older relatives?
Practice often: Drill your plan so that, under stress, everyone knows exactly what to do.
Extra tips from @MFS_SA:
Install interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in sleeping and living areas.
Test alarms monthly, clean every six months, replace batteries every 12 months, or if a low battery sound emits.
Keep escape paths clear of obstacles.
In practice runs: crawl low under smoke, close doors behind you, head straight to your meeting point, call 000, and never re-enter the building.
Being fire-ready isn’t about fear — it’s about giving your family the best chance to get out safely.
👉 Take time this week to sit down with your family and map out your escape routes. Then practice them together.
For more info, check out - https://www.mfs.sa.gov.au/community-safety/safety-and-education/fact-sheets/home-fire-escape-plan
#30Days30WaysAUS #HomeFireEscapePlan #GetReady #SAMFS
Day 8 - Lifejackets: Small cost. Big Lifesaver
The ocean can change in seconds — calm one moment, dangerous the next. That’s something Richard, a Surf Life Saving volunteer of 24 years, knows better than most.
Earlier this year, he rescued five people when their boat overturned off a South Australian beach. None of them could swim. None were wearing lifejackets.
Richard has seen it too many times: people underestimate the sea, and overestimate their ability to survive. His message is simple — lifejackets save lives.
Lifejackets do more than just float:
They bring you to the surface and keep you afloat.
They let you rest on your back and conserve energy.
They help retain warmth if you curl into a ball.
They make you visible in the water — even from shore.
For around $45, a lifejacket is one of the cheapest pieces of lifesaving equipment you’ll ever buy. Richard puts it bluntly: “It’s the cost of a life.”
Take Action Today:
• Always wear a lifejacket when out on the water.
• Make sure your family and friends wear one too.
• Keep them well-fitted, maintained, and ready to use.
Being prepared on the water means respecting its power — and protecting yourself with a lifejacket every single time.
Follow the 30 Days 30 Ways Australia campaign throughout September for more simple actions to keep you and your community safe.
#30Days30Ways #GetReady #LifejacketsSaveLives #SurfLifeSA
Day 7 - Day 7 – Helen’s Story: Why Her Son Downloaded Alert SA
At 81, Helen describes herself as “not very au fait with technology.” Like many older South Australians, she didn’t grow up with smartphones or apps. But when her son downloaded the Alert SA app onto her phone, Helen was pleasantly surprised.
She says it’s easy to use — even for someone who doesn’t consider herself tech-savvy.
Her favourite features?
• 🗺️ The live map: Helen can see straight away if anything is happening near her.
• ℹ️ Emergency information: Clear, reliable updates that help her know what to do.
For Helen, Alert SA isn’t just an app — it’s reassurance. It helps her feel informed and connected during emergencies, giving her peace of mind that she’ll have the latest warnings at her fingertips.
Helen’s story is also a reminder: you don’t have to wait for someone to ask. If you’ve got parents, grandparents, neighbours, or friends who aren’t confident with technology, set it up for them. A few minutes could make a huge difference in an emergency.
📲 Download the Alert SA app today and help someone you care about get connected.
#30Days30WaysAUS #AlertSA #EmergencyPreparedness #StaySafeSA
Day 6 – Storm Preparedness with Dave O’shannessy, SES
Last Friday, severe storms — including reports of tornadoes — swept across South Australia. In just 24 hours, the State Emergency Service (SES) received more than 600 requests for assistance. From damaged roofs and blocked drains to fallen trees, the message is clear: we need to prepare for severe weather before it hits.
SES’s Dave O’shannessy says the simplest steps can make a huge difference:
Clear gutters and drains. Blockages cause water to back up, flooding homes and damaging property.
Maintain trees and branches. Overhanging limbs can fall in strong winds, posing risks to homes, cars, and people.
Know your emergency plan. Ask yourself: If I couldn’t live in my property, where would I go?
Plan for pets. Ensure you know how to safely relocate your animals if you need to leave home.
Secure important documents. Keep them somewhere safe, accessible, and ready to grab in an emergency.
Technology can also help. Dave strongly recommends downloading the Alert SA app, which delivers official warnings and live updates during severe weather.
Storms are part of life in South Australia, but with some preparation, we can reduce their impact and keep our families safe.
👉 Take action today — clear those gutters, check those trees, and update your emergency plan.
For storm preparation tips, visit ses.sa.gov.au/storm
For emergency SES storm assistance, call 132 500
#30Days30WaysAUS #SES #StormPreparedness #SAtornado
Day 5 - Pets in Emergencies: Don’t Forget Your Fur-baby Family
When emergencies strike - whether it’s bushfire, storm, or flood - your pets rely on you to keep them safe. Including animals in your emergency plan isn’t optional.
It’s a responsibility.
Today’s video highlights just how important it is to think ahead for your pets, with help from some adorable SA pets who know how to sit, stay, and evacuate (okay, maybe not evacuate - but they’re ready to go when you are!).
Simple steps to prepare your pets:
Add pet supplies to your emergency kit (carrier, food, water, meds, comfort toy)
Make sure your pets are microchipped and their details are current
Have a plan for where your animals will go if you need to leave
Practice early evacuation, leaving late puts lives at risk
Your pets are part of the family. Make sure they’re part of your survival plan too.
Watch the video and use this CFS checklist to make your bushfire plan today.
https://cfs.sa.gov.au/plan-prepare/before-a-fire-be-prepared/make-a-plan/
Day 3 - Emergency Kits
Preparedness with Disability: Annette’s Advice
Emergencies can happen fast. Annette knows this from experience - she was caught out during the 2003 Canberra bushfires. Living with vision impairment hasn’t stopped her from being ready. In fact, it’s given her an even stronger focus on preparation.
Annette keeps her emergency kit packed and makes sure it includes the essentials for both herself and her guide dogs, Maple and Molly.
Her advice is clear – “living with disability doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared”, says Annette. “With a little planning, everyone can take steps that suit their own needs and circumstances”, she told us.
Tips for people living with disability
Plan ahead: Think about what specific items you need in your emergency kit (medications, mobility aids, communication devices, or sensory supports).
Include your animals: Pets and assistance animals will need their own supplies such as food, water, and bedding.
Stay connected: Talk with your support networks, friends, or neighbours about how they can help in an emergency.
Practice your plan: Rehearse how you’ll leave quickly and safely, so you feel confident if an emergency happens.
Preparedness is possible — and empowering.
Day 2 - Talk to Kids about Emergencies
Today, we’re joined by South Australia’s Police Commissioner, Grant Stevens, who shares his advice for parents and carers.
Emergencies can be confusing and frightening for children. Having calm, clear conversations before something happens helps kids feel safer and more confident if an emergency does occur.
👨👩👧 Tips from the Commissioner:
Talk to your kids in simple, age-appropriate language.
Reassure them that emergency services are here to help.
Practice what to do as a family – whether it’s calling Triple Zero (000), knowing where to meet, or what to pack.
Encourage questions so they feel included and prepared.
Prepared kids are resilient kids. By starting the conversation early, you’re giving your family the tools to stay safe and calm in an emergency.
👉 Watch the video below and share it with family and friends.
👉 Follow along every day this September on Facebook, Instagram, and our website for more tips.
Day 1 - Emergency Numbers
Emergencies don’t give you time to think; they just happen. That’s why one of the simplest and most powerful things you can do for your household is make sure everyone knows the right numbers to call, and when to call them. Here in South Australia, 000 is the number you call in a life-threatening emergency. Whether it’s fire, police, or ambulance, 000 (triple zero) gets you straight to help when every second matters. But knowing when to call is just as important as knowing the number.
Teach your kids early
Children are often the ones at home when something goes wrong. Taking the time to sit with them and explain what “an emergency” really means (fire, someone badly hurt, break-in), that they should always stay calm, call 000, and listen to the operator, and how to give your home address or describe where they are, is a simple step that can save lives. A great tip is to role-play a pretend emergency. Kids remember far better when they’ve practiced.
Keep key numbers handy
Not every situation is a 000 call. Having a simple, visible list of numbers on your fridge or noticeboard can save a lot of stress:
132 500 – State Emergency Service (SES): for storm or flood damage, trees down, or urgent help during severe weather.
131 444 – Police Assistance Line: for police attendance in non-life-threatening situations like minor crashes, property damage, or noise complaints.
13 13 66 – SA Power Networks: for electricity faults and outages.
1300 729 283 – SA Water: for water supply issues.
13 11 26 – Poisons Information: if someone swallows something they shouldn’t.
If you’ve got older family members or teenagers with their own mobiles, encourage them to save these numbers into their phones too.
Make it part of your family routine
Think of it like fire drills. A five-minute chat once or twice a year about emergency numbers can make a world of difference. Stick a copy of your list on the fridge, in the caravan, or somewhere that’s easily accessible to your kids. Emergencies are stressful, but when everyone knows who to call and when, it takes away some of the panic and gives you back a little control.
About the 30Days30WaysAUS campaign
The 30Days30WaysAUS campaign is all about helping every South Australian get prepared, stay ready, and build resilience against emergencies. Each day in September we’ll be sharing simple, practical actions that make a big difference when it matters most. From bushfires to blackouts, floods to heatwaves, the goal is to make preparedness easy and part of everyday life.
Follow along with us on our website, Facebook, or Instagram @30Days30WaysAUS for daily hints, tips, messages, and practical activities to help you and your family get ready. Together, we can build a stronger, safer, more resilient South Australia.
Get Ready for Day 1
Get Ready for 30Days30WaysAUS 2025
We’re excited to announce the return of 30Days30WaysAUS for 2025, starting on 1 September! This year, we’re bringing even more engaging activities, expert insights, and practical tips to help every South Australian build resilience and prepare for emergencies. Whether you're new to the campaign or a seasoned participant, there's something for everyone.
Over the 30 days of September, you'll find regular challenges, valuable resources, and opportunities to learn how to prepare for emergencies and disasters, and become more resilient.
From bushfire preparedness to first aid awareness, and everything in between, we’re covering the full spectrum of disaster preparedness. Each day will focus on a different aspect of staying safe and resilient, with actionable steps you can take to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community.
Why Participate?
Regular Challenges: Easy-to-follow tasks designed to boost your preparedness in just a few minutes a day.
Expert Tips: Advice from South Australia's leading emergency services and safety organisations.
Community Engagement: Join a growing community of like-minded individuals committed to making South Australia safer.
Mark your calendar and get ready to take the first step on 1 September! Follow us on social media, sign up for our newsletter, and be part of a movement that’s making a real difference.
Together, we can build a safer, more resilient South Australia.