How To: Prepare For An Emergency

Article reprinted with permission from ACP Media (NetGuide)

If the big one hits, you don’t want to be scrambling for whatever device you use to go online for help. This feature's all about preparation...so look up and remember (or print out) the bits that might apply to you.

“Due to its location and environment, New Zealand faces many potential disasters.” With that cheerful opening, the Ministry of Civil Defence introduces you to its Get Ready Get Thru site (www.getthru.govt.nz). As well as a checklist and a household emergency plan (which you complete in consultation with the rest of the household, ideally), there are links to radio stations that are prepped to broadcast information during civil emergencies, and advice on things like how to stock up on safe water, or take care of sick or vulnerable people, pets and livestock during an emergency. And it features many lists: what to include in a first aid kit, a getaway kit, emergency survival items and so on. It’s just about immeasurable, how useful it would be to have these to hand - and even better, committed to memory - rather than be trying to look up this information when your home and family is under threat.

The site’s content is available in Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Samoan, Tongan, Arabic and Maori as well as English. It’s not limited to natural disasters, either. While earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis and floods get plenty of coverage, you’ll also get an idea of what you need to do to protect yourself in the event of a fire, pandemic, bomb threat or terrorist attack.

Follow this link to read the full article.

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