GET HOME READY

If you are trapped in your home due to an emergency there are a few things you should have in place. Make sure they're easy to find in a hurry or in the dark. 

• Water for three days or more — as a guide you need at least nine litres of water for every person, for drinking, washing and cooking
• Long-lasting food that doesn’t need cooking (unless you have a gas cooker or BBQ)
• Food and drink for babies and pets
• Toilet paper, large plastic buckets for an emergency toilet, soap, toothbrush and sanitary items
• A first aid kit and essential medicines
• Torch and additional batteries
• Map of the area marked with places to meet and contact details.
• Dust masks and work gloves.

What’s your whānau plan?

Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere and often without warning. It’s important you and your whānau have a household emergency plan and practice it. Where would you meet if there was no way of contacting each other? If you care for young or elderly people or those with a disability or mobility problem or whānau who are ill or injured, what might be some special needs to consider?

Have you thought about your animals?

Some welfare centres allow for pets – if you have a cage for them, bring that too. Pack food and water for your pets as well. Have you planned and provided for other livestock?

What is your children’s school or day care evacuation plan? - 7

Ask to see your school’s evacuation plan and know where they will take the children to. Be across the emergency plan at work and other places your family spend time. Know what to do in case whānau are separated in an emergency. Be familiar with the evacuation routes and plan several routes just in case.

English Household Preparedness Plan

Māori Household Preparedness Plan

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Get ready at work

Emergencies generally don’t keep any set hours so you need to make sure you have plans that cover your life – work, home and school.

·      Identify the risks to your business and staff

Find out what the risks are and how they can impact your business. This could include natural hazards, health emergencies and utility failures. 

Here’s a link to help identify risks at work from business.govt.nz –

https://www.business.govt.nz/risks-and-operations/health-and-safety/how-to-assess-health-and-safety-risks