<< Back to Civil defence
Civil defence at home
Be ready |
When disaster strikes |
Civil defence emergency facts
Be ready
Disasters can strike at any time and often without warning. We can't prevent
disasters but we can take some simple steps to ensure we will be able to cope.
All of us must think ahead and be prepared by involving the whole family.
Know what to do
before you have to do it. Don't think if, think when.
At home
Develop a household emergency plan, which includes
- where to shelter in an earthquake, flood or storm
- who is responsible for checking essential items in your emergency survival
kit
- how to turn off gas, water and electricity at the mains
- how to maintain contact with each other during an emergency
- how to
contact Auckland City for advice during an emergency.
In your street
Join or form a neighbourhood support group. You and your neighbours will
together have the skills and resources that can be vital in an emergency. Start
discussing today what you can do to assist each other. Contact the Police for
advice.
Your getaway kit
Everyone should have a small bag for a getaway kit, ready for evacuation.
Most of the items are part of your emergency survival kit. Other items include:
- family documents
- birth/marriage certificates
- drivers' licences/passports
- family photos
- insurance policies
- personal hygiene items
- towels/soap and toothbrushes
- a change of clothes.
Emergency survival kit
If you prefer to keep your emergency survival kit items in the house for
everyday use, make sure you know where to find them when an emergency occurs.
Food and water
(enough for three days) including:
- canned or dried food
- a can opener
- a primus or BBQ to cook on
- bottled water (3 litres per person per day).
Check and renew the food and water every 12 months.
Emergency items, including:
- a first aid kit and essential medicines
- spare toilet paper and plastic rubbish bags for your emergency toilet
- pet supplies
- waterproof torches and spare batteries
- a radio and spare batteries.
Check the batteries every three months.
Supplies for babies and small children, including:
-
food and drink
- change of clothing
- favourite toy or activity.
Special supplies for those with disabilities, for example:
- hearing aids
- mobility aids
- glasses.
Emergency clothing, including:
- wind proof and rain proof clothing
- sun hats
- blankets or sleeping bags
- strong shoes for outdoors.
Put all items, especially blankets and clothing, into leak proof plastic bags.
People with disabilities
If you have a disability, make arrangements with a family member, friend, or
neighbour to help you in an emergency.
People with hearing impairment may not be well served by radio. Make
arrangements to be sure somebody informs you.
People with sight impairment may have difficulties if their home is disrupted
- perhaps in an earthquake - and may have extra difficulties in an unfamiliar
civil defence centre. You should arrange some form of buddy system.
People with asthma and other respiratory disorders may be especially affected
by stress, dust or volcanic ash. Have plenty of medicines and face-masks in your
emergency survival kit.
If you have special food needs, be sure to include as much as you can in your
emergency survival kit.
If you need mobility aids, insist on bringing your aid if you are evacuated.
Moving to safety is fine, but you won't want to be helpless when you get there.
What about the family pet?
If you have family pets you need to include them in your emergency planning.
How you can help:
- have a permanent disc on your pet's collar with your name, phone number and,
if possible, address
- always have a carry-box with a blanket or towel ready. Identify the box with
your name, address and phone number
- keep an emergency supply of tinned food.
When there is time
- If you are unable to take your animals with you or if you have been ordered
to leave your pets behind you should release penned animals and birds.
- In cases of flooding, your pets can be placed in the roof space of your home
with as much food and water left for them as practicable.
- If you have stock, open internal farm gates but do not allow access to
roads.
- The SPCA can be called upon to assist companion animals.
Remember that your animals are more self-sufficient than you think.
Turning off
utilities
In an emergency, utilities such as gas, water and electricity may need to be
turned off. This may be because they are damaged or to prevent further injury to
people and property.
A plan of your home can be drawn up showing where to turn off water,
electricity and gas.
Always seek professional advice before reconnecting the gas supply.
Your communication plan
A communication plan outlines what you will do if your family is
separated during an emergency. It includes safe meeting places,
arrangements to collect children from school and contact details of
relatives living outside the affected area.
Your escape plan
An escape plan outlines the safest ways out of each room of the home, and
gives an outside meeting place.
