12 Month Plan Civil Defence

Results						Steps to Take

						Show each family member how and when to turn off the utilities (water, gas, and electricity) at the main switches
						Compile or purchase a civil defence emergency kit so that you are prepared for a civil emergency
						Join or form a neighbourhood support group. This will improve the safety of your community and in an emergency you and your neighbours will together have the skills and resources that can be vital in an emergency.
						Create and practice Emergency Evacuation Plans for events including a house fire, or earthquake. This will ensure you and your family know what to do in an emergency and where you will meet.
						Teach children how and when to call 111 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for emergency help.
						Install smoke alarms in your home and check the batteries are working every month. Contact your local fire service if you need help installing them. These could save your life by making you aware of a fire.
						Take a first aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) class
						Find the safe places in your home for each type of disaster
						Compile individual getaway kits so everyone has essential items in an emergency
						Contact your local council and find out how you can become a Civil Defence Volunteer
						Attend a Civil Defence Management 'Be Ready' Workshop. Contact your local Council to find out when the next workshop is being held.
						If you live in a rural community, become a volunteer firefighter
						Do not attempt to cook after a night out drinking, this is one of the most common causes of fire in New Zealand
						Leave keys in deadlocks overnight so that you can easily open doors in an emergency such as a fire
						Check with your insurance company for details of your cover. Homeowners' policies may not cover some emergencies e.g. flooding from a tsunami.

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