Wellington City Council is to embark on a lunchtime water container sale during Disaster Awareness Week (11-17 October) to help Wellingtonians kick-start their emergency preparedness.
The Council's Emergency Preparedness Manager, Fred Mecoy, says last week's earthquakes in Samoa and Indonesia served as a stark reminder that we have to be prepared for a disaster.
"In the event of a disaster, people need to be prepared to cope for at least three days on their own. You need to stockpile at least three litres of water per person per day - that's 36 litres for a family of four. Three of our 15-litre bottles filled up with water will let you tick that one off - so you can think about your emergency plan."
The big yellow sturdy plastic water containers will be sold for $10 each from 12 noon - 1.30pm at the following dates and locations:
- Tuesday 13 October - Midland Park
- Wednesday 14 October - Manners Mall
- Thursday 15 October - Civic Square
The Council's Social Portfolio Leader, Councillor Ngaire Best, says overall many New Zealand families are well prepared with food and other emergency supplies - but they don't store water.
"We tend to take water for granted. People should stop to think about how hard it could be to get hold of a supply of safe drinking water if a natural disaster strikes Wellington.
"Earthquakes get most of the attention in Wellington, but last week's events have shown they're not the only disaster our residents need to be prepared for - storms, floods and landslides can cause massive damage and disruption too.
"Disaster Awareness Week is a great time to get an emergency kit together and make an emergency plan for your family, flatmates and loved ones - where will you meet? Who will get the kids? Who will check on vulnerable neighbours and friends?"
Here's a sample list of the sort of things people should have in their emergency kits.
- Water - minimum 3 litres per person per day, eg a family of four needs at least 36 litres
- Toilet paper, plastic bags, nappies and sanitary items
- Baby wipes (for washing)
- Pet food
- Gas stove / BBQ and a lighter or matches
- First aid kit
- Candles
- Torch and batteries
- Food for three days - eg long-life milk, cereal, crackers, tinned fish, tinned meat, baked beans, noodles, biscuits, muesli bars, nuts and raisins
- Essential medications
- Radio and batteries
If you miss out on the street sales during Disaster Awareness Week, you can buy water containers from the Council's City Service Centre at 101 Wakefield Street.