Image of emergency kit

With the recent Port Hills fires on everyone’s minds, it’s the right time to remind our Selwyn community about how you can be prepared for any emergency.

Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere, and often without warning, but here are some steps you can take now to be better prepared:

Have an evacuation plan

In an emergency, some houses, streets, and neighbourhoods may not be safe to stay in and you may have to leave in a hurry. Decide where you will go and make sure everyone in your household knows in case you’re not together.

Have a grab bag ready to go with all the essentials

Each bag should have walking shoes, warm clothes, bottle of water, snacks and copies of important documents and photo ID. Medications, a first aid kit, torch, radio and batteries should be located somewhere you can grab them in a hurry.

Work out what supplies you need

Make sure you have enough supplies to last three days at home. This includes nine litres of water per person, long-lasting food that doesn’t need cooking, food for babies and pets, toilet paper and large plastic buckets for an emergency toilet.

Stay informed

During an emergency, our volunteers and Civil Defence teams will be working hard to provide you with the most up to date information through our website and our Council Facebook page.

You can also stay informed by following the Civil Defence NZ website, social media page and listening to battery-powered radio or car radio if the power goes out.

Find out more useful tips in our ‘Are You Ready?’ guide, available at Selwyn Libraries, Service Centres, the Rolleston Council Office or on our website.

The Council also offer a free emergency alerting system to residents, which sends text and email alerts to subscribed households in the event of an emergency. You can sign up at selwn.getsready.net

Last modified: 13 Mar 2024 11:34am