Water Container Sale for Disaster Awareness Week
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.
For more information on getting yourself ready for an emergency, visit the Get Ready Get Thru website and the Emergency Management section of this website.