Are you prepared?

IF NOT - WHY NOT?

General Rules for Civil Defence Emergencies:

• Have a family plan. 
• Listen to the radio for instructions. The main channels that will be used during emergencies are:
  • 945 kHz (AM) Talkback ZB
  • 90.9 ZGFM
  • 585 kHz (AM) Radio Ngati Porou
  • 98.1 FM Radio Ngati Porou
  • 98.9 More FM
  • 94.8Radio Live FM
  • 91.7 Turanga FM 
  • 88.5 UAWA FM 

• Only use the phone in emergencies.
• Look out for your neighbours and elderly folk.
• Know how to turn off your power, water and gas.
• Look at the last yellow page in the centre of your phone book for your Community Emergency Centre
• Know what the threats are and what they will do to you.
• Plan to counter their effects
• Don't go sightseeing
• Plan how you will survive without normal access to resources such as power, phones, food, water and the emergency services. 
• Know what you will take if you have to evacuate.

Household Emergency Plan

Home Plan

Have you:

• Put heavy items on lower shelves?
• Safely store chemicals and other dangerous or flammable items?
• Secured cupboard doors with safety latches (childproof latches also prevent cupboards from swinging open during an earthquake)?
• Fixed heavy furniture to the wall/floor and moved beds from under windows or shelves?
• Secured the hot water cylinder/header tank?
• Located and shown every family/household member how to turn off water, power mains and gas?
• Installed a fire extinquisher and smoke detector?
• Planned an escape route from every room in the event of fire?

Family Plan

Do you:

• Know what to do in an earthquake, flood, fire or chemical spill etc?
• Know the CD warning "sting" that precedes a CD message on the radio or TV?

Have you:

• Discussed ways to get in touch with other family members, and plans for reuniting?
• Notified school of persons able to pick up the kids from school if you cannot?
• Established a meeting point in the event that your house becomes unusable or if family members are separated?
• Allocated tasks for those at home when a disaster occurs (e.g.: turning off power, checking on neighbours)?
• Identified skills, resources and problems in your neighbourhood?
• discussed how you can help your neighbours, especially the elderly or disabled

Survival Plan

Do you have:

• Enough food in your home to last 48-72 hours?
• Knowledge of where to get water if normal supply unavailable, always store some water if a warning of an event is issued, fill containers immediately after a large earthquake?
• Alternative lighting (torch, gas lattern and spare batteries (keep sealed in fridge) or cyalume lightsticks - candles not recommended)?
• Battery operated radio and spare batteries (keep sealed in fridge) don't forget car radio as last resort?
• First aid kit and manual?
• Know to cover you freezer when there is no power, use blankets etc
• Essential medication?
• Alternative heating (blankets, survival blankets or warm waterproof clothing)?
• Alternative cooking methods (barbecues, gas cookers etc)?
• Important family documents stored where you can access them easily during an emergency?
• A workplace survival plan?
• A first aid kit and fire extinguisher in your car?