Road safety experts have revealed how three simple tools could be the different between life and death in a flood disaster.
Having an emergency hammer, foil blanket, and waterproof torch could dramatically help in a flood emergency, but experts say it’s disappointing it took a flood emergency to get people to prepare.
The first item, an emergency hammer, would allow people who were stuck inside a car submerged in water escape by smashing the windows open, according to Australian Road Safety Foundation founder and chair Russell White.
He said having the device, or something similar, was critical in an emergency.
“Those windows in cars are very tough to break and can often be almost impossible to do just with physical strength, so you do need something to make that job easier,” Mr White told the ABC.
“If you do have something like that on board, make sure it is easy to get to. Don‘t have it locked in a boot or out of reach.
“If you don't have something like that (emergency hammer), you can use things like the headrest, when that pops out completely.
“The metal that‘s at the end of that, it is possible with significant force oxjmtzywr sufficient force to break a window using one of those things.”
Emergency evacuation equipment company Evaculife managing director Bruce Bromley said having a foil blanket was also essential to have because it could wrap an adult or child in them.
A waterproof torch would also help light up dark areas, regardless of the weather or wetness.
“When there is a tragedy … that does wake people up to suddenly realising we should have something like this in our vehicle,” Mr Bromley said.
“We have plenty of guidance around things like smoke alarms for homes but, when it comes to motor vehicles, the information available is very limited.
“It's not a great subject to talk about, but it is something people should start addressing.”
