Generic preparedness media messages
Making it easier to get ready: household checklist
The easy-to-use emergency checklist and planner is aimed to get households to plan what they will do in the event of an emergency.
Download the Household Emergency Checklist and Plan (pdf).
Research tells us that over 75% of New Zealanders are aware of the impact that disasters can have and the need to be prepared. Yet only about 25% say they are prepared and can cope for three days or more in a disaster. While awareness of the need to do something is high, too many of us have a tendency to put it off when we have so many other urgent priorities.
Optional key media messages your spokesperson can focus on:
- The risks to us here are ( your hazardscape)
- Everyone should have a household emergency plan where they have worked out what they will do in various scenarios, safe places to shelter at home, where they’ll meet, who’ll pick up the kids etc
- Ensure you have the essential emergency items at home to be able to look after yourselves for three days or more.
- A little time spent getting ready now can greatly reduce the impact of the disaster when it happens
Get Ready Now So You Can Get Through
Civil Defence is urging New Zealanders to make a start now to be better prepared. Events around the world, and here in New Zealand in recent years have certainly raised awareness of the impact that disasters can have, and the need to take action to look after ourselves, and our families.
The Get Ready Get Thru television, radio and print campaign urges individuals and families to plan now so that they can better deal with the impact of a disaster. But it would seem that even though awareness may be high, many New Zealanders have not planned for how they will cope in a disaster event, or taken steps to looks after themselves and their families.
Make a start with two simple steps
Civil defence urges everyone to make a start by having a Household Emergency Plan, and ensuring you have the essential emergency survival items to cope for up to three days or more.
Step 1 – Have a Household Emergency Plan
A critical first step is to have a Household Emergency Plan. Why is this important? There are many types of disasters that could damage roads and disrupt your ability to travel. Essential services like phones and power are likely to be affected. Sitting down with your family and discussing the hazards that can affect you and what you will each do can safe lives, and greatly reduce the anxiety and stress when disasters happen. For instance, if the earthquake , tsunami, storm or flood event happened during the day when mum and dad are at work, and the kids at school, or out shopping or on the way home, does everyone know what to do. Head home, stay put, meet at an agreed point? The Household Emergency Plan provides a basis for families to discuss the various scenarios and work out a plan for what each person will do.
Step 2 - Ensure you have emergency survival items to cope for 3 days or more
In the event of a major disaster caused by an earthquake, storm or flood, or volcanic eruption, the reality is that help cannot get to everyone as quickly as they may need it. It is in the immediate aftermath of a disaster that individuals and families will be most vulnerable. Likely scenarios include disruption of essential services like power, water supply, telecommunications and transport. Communities could become isolated as a result of damaged roads and bridges etc.
That is why it is so important for individuals and families to make sure you have the essential emergency items to cope on your own till help can get to you. Many of the items that are on the list are likely to be items you already have at home – torches, radio, batteries, food and water, alternative cooking such as a barbeque. You don’t have to have them packed away in a bag untouched, as long as you check that you do have the essential items, and can find them easily (and in the dark maybe) during a disaster. A list of the items can be downloaded from the www.getthru.govt.nz website.
Other important items include a first aid kit, or any special medications. If you have to plan for babies and small children, you’ll have to ensure you have sufficient food and formula for them. Also if you have pets, they need to be included in your planning. And if you need to evacuate or leave your home in a hurry, you will have to plan to have a Getaway Kit that has essential items and important documents etc.
There is information available from the www.getthru.govt.nz website and from local councils on what you need to do to get ready. Take that first step now to be ready so that you can be better prepared to look after yourselves and your loved ones.
Media Releases Disaster Awareness Week 09 - Examples of media releases that you can customise as needed
