Be Prepared

Get ready. Get thru.

If a disaster happened now, would you be ready?

Emergencies can strike at any time, anywhere and often with no warning.

Visit the Get Ready. Get Thru. website for detailed information about how to get ready before a disaster strikes.

Get ready at home 

Households need to develop an emergency plan, which should include:

• 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 your local civil defence organisation for assistance during an emergency.

If possible:

• Learn first aid - a useful skill in an emergency
• Know the local Civil Defence warning system.
• Know the Emergency Management Office's location.

Get ready at work

Planning for an emergency (including a pandemic) provides some certainty on how you are going to cope with an emergency that is likely to affect your business, your employees and their families.

The Emergency Business Continuity Plan (84KB, doc) has been developed to assist small to medium businesses prepare themselves, staff and family for emergencies, including pandemics.

Create your Emergency Survival Kit 

Food and water

Gather enough food and water for at least three days, including:

• Canned or dried food
• A can opener
• A portable gas stove or barbeque to cook on
• Bottled water (3 litres per person per day)

Emergency items

• First Aid Kit and essential medicines
• Spare toilet paper and plastic rubbish bags for your emergency toilet
• Pet supplies
• Waterproof torches and spare batteries
• Radio and spare batteries
• Check the batteries every three months.

Emergency clothing

• Windproof and rainproof clothing
• Sun hats
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Strong shoes for outdoors

Supplies for babies and small children

• Food and drink
• Change of clothing
• Favourite toy or activity

Special supplies for those with disabilities

• Hearing aids
• Mobility aids
• Glasses

For more information the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/) has a range of brochures available to download in PDF format. There is also an emergency checklist on the inside back cover of your phone book, next to the Yellow Pages.