Time to collect precious items is limited when the flames are bearing down on your home or when it's under threat in an emergency situation.
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In the confusion and panic, many people may not even know what to pack and this is where the Red Cross comes in.
The Red Cross has a simple form, REDiKit Emergency Information, ready for residents to take and follow.
Shoalhaven based Red Cross Emergency Services Team Leader, Margaret Peppitt's, passion is to travel all over the region telling people about the REDiKit form.
She particularly wants to make sure vulnerable people who live alone know what to pack.
It stemmed from a conversation two years ago in the Nowra Red Cross office.
"They (vulnerable people) didn't know what to pack, what to take what to do about their photos or anything like that," she said.
"So we designed this program, which has all their information and what to put in their emergency kit."
Mrs Peppitt said the response for the kits was good but she wanted to remind people about the key things - like filling out the emergency information form and packing a box full of things they need in the time of an emergency.
She then rolls out her own 30-litre storage container, which has wheels, where she keeps things like a thumb drive of photos, a radio, candles, change of clothes, hand sanitizer and much more.
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The REDiKit checklist has all the things people need to pack in their own container.
This container can be left in your home where it can be accessed easily.
REDiKit checklist also features a section for personal details like addresses, phone numbers, medical requirements, next of kin and more.
Mrs Peppitt, who is also Milton Ulladulla and District branch of Australian Red Cross president, has spread the word wide and far about the REDiKit.
"In the last two years, talked to every VIEW club, every Probus club about this and how to be prepared," she said.
She wants to put to remind people about the importance of having their packs packed and prepared.
"With all these fires are just really thought now is the time to get people motivated and do it (pack their kit)," she said.
"If there are any organisations that would like me to come and give them a talk about the kit they can just contact me.
"I can go back to a group that wants a follow-up talk. They may have more questions and I can help if they've had any problems on how to do the kit and what to put in it."
For more information on the kit contact Mrs Peppitt at mpeppitt@westnet.com.au or call 4454 2787.
If you want a copy of the REDiKit you can drop into the Milton Ulladulla Times' office and one of our friendly staff members will help you out.
