Disasters happen - you should plan and make sure you're ready. Here's some things you can do to prepare:
Grab bag - ready to go
Have grab bags ready for everyone in your whānau.
Each bag should have warm clothes, a bottle of water, snacks, copies of important documents and photo ID.
Remember any medications you may need and keep your first aid kit, torch, radio and batteries somewhere you can grab them in a hurry.
Don’t forget your pets – have food and water for them too.
Your family 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?
Consider everyone in your household
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?
What about your pets and other animals?
Where could you take your pets if you had to go to a public shelter?
Have you planned and provided for livestock?
Find out about the emergency plan at your workplace, your children’s school, day care and other places family spend time.
Know what to do in case whānau are separated in an emergency.
Be familiar with evacuation routes.
Plan several evacuation routes just in case.
Where would you meet if there was no way of contacting each other?
Consider everyone in your household
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?
What about your pets and other animals?
Where could you take your pets if you had to go to a public shelter?
Have you planned and provided for livestock?
Find out about the emergency plans at your workplace, your children’s school or day care and other places family spend time.
Know what to do in case whānau are separated in an emergency.
Be familiar with evacuation routes.
Plan several evacuation routes just in case.
You probably have most of the things you need already in your home.
Make sure they're easy to find in a hurry or in the dark. You should have:
- Water for 3 days or more — as a guide you need at least 9 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, 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.
Ask the school for their evacuation plan for your children and work out where you will re-connect with them.
Plan ahead for what you will do if you’re in your car when an emergency happens. Keep essential emergency survival items in your car.
- Basic tools
- A pair of walking shoes, a waterproof jacket, essential medicines, snack food, water and a torch.
