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Emergency Kits and Grab Bags

In an emergency, Civil Defence Emergency Management and other emergency services will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately.

You could be stuck at home without basic services, such as electricity, gas, drinking water, flushing toilets, and phones, for days or even weeks.

Think about what you will need in an emergency:

  • Do you have enough food and water for your household?
  • How will you cook and store food without electricity?
  • Do you have enough water for everyone in your household? Does this include water to cook and wash with?
  • What about family members who need medication? Do you have enough?
  • Do you have a baby who may need extra supplies (e.g. nappies, formula)?
  • Do you have enough food and water for your pets?

Check out our suggestions for making up your own grab bags and emergency kits.

Suggested items for your individual work / car emergency grab bag:

  • Comfy walking shoes
  • Water bottle
  • Jacket
  • Muesli bars
  • Torch
  • Warm clothes

Suggested items for your individual or family grab bags:

  • Torch and radio with spare batteries or a good wind-up radio
  • Check batteries every 3 months
  • Power bank (for charging cell phones)
  • Water bottle
  • Easy to carry food rations (muesli bars, etc)
  • First aid kit and essential medication
  • Walking shoes
  • Wind/waterproof clothing
  • Toiletries – towel, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, etc
  • Light blanket
  • Face and dust masks
  • Pet supplies
  • Infant/children needs
  • Hearing aids and spare batteries, glasses, mobility aids
  • Important documents
    • Identification (copies of birth and marriage certificates, drivers licences, passports)
    • Financial (copies of insurance policy numbers, mortgage details, etc)
    • Copies of family photos
  • Cash in case of power cuts and ATM and Eftpos isn’t working

If we have to evacuate we will:

  • Take our grab bag
  • Tell someone where we are going
  • Turn off power and water
  • Take our pets

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

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