BY BILLE KAAL
Red Cross Australia is encouraging residents with young children to begin planning for potential disasters, as the Hunter enters its bushfire and flood season.
Although the Bushfire Danger Season kicks off on October 1 for the majority of New South Wales, some LGAs in the Hunter entered the period back in September.
A survey conducted by the University of Western Sydney and the Australian Breastfeeding Association has found there are significant challenges faced by parents with young children when it comes to preparation and evacuation due to disasters.
Younger children and babies have specific needs, and often places like evacuation centres can not always fulfil them.
Red Cross National Resilience Advisor John Richardson has some advice for parents and guardians to consider when looking to plan for these potential disasters.
''Think about what you might need particularly as a parent of a baby or a young child. Have you got wipes, nappies, comforters or the ability to sterilize?" he said.
"The other thing we recommend is people make sure they have got identity documents. Things such as birth certificates and immunization records."
Mr Richardson hopes better planning will help ensure that children's needs are not overlooked when faced with difficulty from potential disasters.
