Emergencies can happen at any time and when you live on a lifestyle property, you might have to deal with them on your own until outside help arrives. This handbook gives you detailed advice on how to prepare for an emergency, what to do and who to reach out to. Now’s the time to create a detailed emergency plan to keep you, your whānau and animals safe. You’ll find all the help you need right here.
What’s in this handbook and how will it help you?
Living on a lifestyle block gives you the space to live the way you’d like to, but it does come with added responsibilities and potential hazards. This handbook gives you practical, detailed information on how to prepare, plan and recover from emergencies. You’ll learn how to make your property more resilient to emergency events, with step-by-step advice on how to make a plan and what to do in specific events.
Every emergency has its own challenges, but most can be overcome if you know what to do and act early. You will also find important contact details in this section. So, let’s get started.
Have you got an emergency plan?
Having a plan before an emergency is essential, this section covers what you need to consider when developing an evacuation plan for your lifestyle block. This includes evacuating your property, taking care of your animals, building an emergency survival kit, planning to transport your animals, preparing to shelter at home, having a plan to shelter away from home, and practising your plan.
If you’re not connected to the municipal water supply, the supply of water for use in your home and on your property is your responsibility.
This section covers what you need to consider when monitoring your water use. Keeping your water safe for use and water drainage.
Power and phone outages and property access.
During an emergency you may experience power and phone outages and access to your property could be limited. This section covers what to do when the power goes out for an extended period of time and the mobile phone network goes down and how to ensure you and the emergency services can access and leave your property during an emergency.
Insuring your lifestyle block.
Having the right sort of insurance cover will help you recover from emergencies faster. You’re in a far stronger position when you set your insurance up correctly and clearly understand what is and isn’t covered. This section covers some important areas to consider before speaking to your insurance provider.
There are a number of hazards to consider when making your emergency plan.
This section will help you consider the potential impacts of Earthquakes, Tsunami's, Severe weather or storms, Flooding, Fires, Drought and Volcanic Eruptions, and how to be better prepared for these hazards.
Having a first aid kit is an important part of planning.
Every home should have a first aid kit, and they’re even more important when you live in the country. They come in many shapes and sizes and can be purchased from St John or the Red Cross. You’ll also find them in your local chemist or supermarket, or you can make your own.
Consider planning for an infectious disease or pandemic.
A pandemic environment often moves quickly. For the latest information and advice on how to protect yourself, your whānau, and visitors to your property, your first point of call should be to follow government guidelines and check for updates on the Ministry of Health website. health.govt.nz
This booklet was originally produced and distributed by Auckland Emergency Management and altered by Wellington Regional Emergency Management. It has been altered with permission to suit Hawke’s Bay.
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