Work out what supplies you need
Whiriwhiria ngā rawa ka hiahiatia
In an emergency, you may be stuck at home for three days or more. Figure out what supplies you need and make a plan to work out what you need to get your family through.
At home
You probably have most of the things you need already. You don’t have to have them all in one place, but you might have to find them in a hurry and/or in the dark.
- Water for three days or more — make sure you have at least nine litres of water for every person
- Long-lasting food that doesn’t need cooking (unless you have a camping stove or gas BBQ) and food for babies and pets
- Toilet paper and large plastic buckets for an emergency toilet
- Dust masks and work gloves
Water supplies, including drinking water, could be affected in an emergency, so it is essential to have a supply of stored water. Find out more about storing water.
In a disaster, you may not be able to use your normal toilet if sewerage lines are broken or damaged. The Wellington Region Emergency Management Office has instructions on how to make and use an emergency toilet.
In a grab bag
Have grab bags ready for everyone in your family. Each bag should have warm clothes, a bottle of water, snacks, copies of important documents and photo ID.
Remember any medications you might need and keep your first aid kit, torch, radio and batteries somewhere you can grab them in a hurry.
In your car
Plan ahead for what you will do if you are in your car when an emergency happens. A flood, snow storm or major traffic accident could leave you stranded in your vehicle for some time.
- Keep essential emergency survival items in your car. If you are driving in extreme winter conditions, add a brush; shovel; tire chains; windshield scrapers; and warm clothing to your emergency kit.
- Store a pair of walking shoes, a waterproof jacket, essential medicines, snack food, water and a torch in your car.
- Keep up to date with weather and road information when planning travel.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has information on traffic and travel to help you plan your route.
At work
Make sure you have supplies at work including sturdy walking shoes, a waterproof jacket, a torch, snack food and water. Connect with those who live in the same area and you can work together to get home during an emergency.
Get your work ready
Translated information about emergency survival items and your grab bag
Find information in عربي (Arabic) on emergency survival items on Get Ready, Get Thru.
Find information in हिन्दी (Hindi) on emergency survival items on Get Ready, Get Thru.
Find information in 한국어 (Korean) on emergency survival items on Get Ready, Get Thru.
Find information in Gagana Samoa on emergency survival items on Get Ready, Get Thru.
Find information in 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese) on emergency survival items on Get Ready, Get Thru.
He Taputapu Whai Oranga me te Pēke Kawe — Emergency survival items in Te Reo Māori (getthru.govt.nz)
Find information in Te Reo Māori on emergency survival items on Get Ready, Get Thru.
Find information in Lea Faka-Tonga (Tongan) on emergency survival items on Get Ready, Get Thru.
Find information in 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese) on emergency survival items on Get Ready, Get Thru.
Get your household ready
It’s up to you to make sure your family, and the people you care about, know what to do and that you all have what you need to get through on your own. Follow these easy steps to get your household ready.
