Emergency supplies for your whare/home
In an emergency, you could be cut off without basic services for longer than three days. Your house is already full of emergency items disguised as everyday things – as long as you know where they are and can find them in a hurry and/or in the dark! Make sure everyone in your household knows where the torches and batteries are.
By looking after yourself and your whānau, you’ll help emergency services focus their attention on people who need the most help.
Suggested items for your home emergency kit:
- Torch and radio with spare batteries or wind-up torch - check batteries every 3 months
- First aid kit and essential medications
- Thermal blankets or sleeping bags
- Pet supplies
- Emergency toilet – large rubbish bags and toilet paper (can be placed in toilet if sewerage system is not working)
- Face and dust masks
- Non-perishable food, preferably canned food before dried food - check dates on food every 6 months
- Infants needs
- Older persons needs
- Water for drinking – at least 3 litres per person, per day
- Water for washing and cooking
- A gas cooker/BBQ to cook on/matches
- A can opener
- Hand sanitiser
- Rain jackets
- Safety gloves
- Multitool
- Toiletries
- Cash in case of power cuts and ATM and Eftpos isn’t working
Storing water
Household water supplies, including drinking water, can be affected in an emergency. It is important to have a supply of stored water – either commercially-bottled water, or your own containers filled from the tap.
You should have a minimum of three litres of drinking water per person per day for three days – that is, 9 litres per person – for drinking and basic sanitation. Ideally, you would have a week’s worth: 21 litres per person.
Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double the amount of water you need. You will need additional water for washing and cooking.
Store water in new food rated containers or fizz/juice bottles. DO NOT store water in milk bottles.
- Wash bottles thoroughly in hot water.
- Fill each bottle with tap water until it overflows.
- Store in a cool dark place and replace the water every 12 months.
If uncertain before drinking, boil the water first, if unable to do so add the recommended dosage of aqua tabs or a small amount of household bleach (half teaspoon for 10 litres).
NOTE: Do not use scented bleach or ones that contain detergents
