It’s still early in the season and summer is not truly here yet, but Australia is already forecasting a high-risk bushfire season. Vodafone is reminding households how they can stay connected during an emergency as experts warn of extreme weather and increases in natural disasters.

A Vodafone spokesperson said, “Mobile and broadband communications can be a lifeline during natural disasters, helping communities stay connected to emergency services and loved ones.

“Our teams work hard on implementing network resilience measures, from battery backups and portable generators to our rapid-response Cells on Wheels (COWs), to help restore and maintain services as swiftly as possible during natural disasters.

“But extreme conditions can still impact connectivity, especially when power goes out. That’s why we’re urging all Australians to make digital preparedness a priority: keep devices charged, back up important data and always stay tuned to official emergency updates.”

Vodafone has shared a practical three-step checklist to help Aussies prepare and stay safe in the event of an outage:

Power Up

  • Fully charge your mobile devices and portable battery packs before severe weather hits.
  • Keep a spare charger in your vehicle as an essential backup power source. Something like a Ugreen 130W USB-C Car Charger can keep phones and laptops charged.
  • If you live in a bushfire or flood-prone area, invest in a solar charger or generator for extended backup power. Check out what Ecoflow and Bluetti have available, the latter has some extra love for DRN readers until end of October 2025.

Listen Up

  • Stay alert to news for your area on local radio stations, especially ABC Local Radio, Australia’s official emergency broadcaster, for real-time updates.
  • A battery-powered radio in your emergency kit is a non-negotiable for maintaining communication when mobile or internet services fail.
  • Sign up for local emergency alerts in your area for immediate notification and your safety.

Consider looking at the GME range of emergency transmission equipment.

Back Up

Store copies of critical documents, including insurance details and financial records, as well as valuable photos in the cloud l for secure and accessible recovery.

Keep an external hard drive or USB with important digital records for safe keeping.

Proactively sharing emergency contact details with family members before disaster strikes is an essential step for family safety and coordination.

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