b'hard truthsare you ready?We live in a volatile world of earthquakes, floods and storms. Are you ready if disaster strikes?T he tragic Christchurch earthquakes have been a wake-up call,and sewage lines damaged, you should also know how to make an reminding us that natural disasters can strike in any place atemergency toilet. any time. Nobody can afford to be complacent, says VinceIts a good idea to have alternative heating to your normal source in Cholewa, public information officer at the Ministry of Civil Defencewinter. If you have glasses or rely on medication, keep some at home and Emergency Management, and the key to coping when a disasterand work. Women should also keep a pair of walking shoes at work. strikes is being prepared. Yourdistrictcouncil(notcentralgovernment)isresponsiblefor The devastation caused by the earthquakes and the Australian floodsplanning and coordinating welfare agencies during emergencies so and cyclone is still fresh in our minds. Whether it is these or othermake sure you have their phone number at home and work. catastrophes, we should be aware of the biggest threat posed in our area. Whatever the disaster, the same basic rules apply. Check Emergency information will be broadcast on local and national radio outwww.getthru.govt.nz(orEmergencyManagementAustralia stations. Know which stations tolisten toduring an emergency www.ema.gov.au),forinformationonpreparingforallkindsofevent. Also, if the power is out, youll need a battery powered or natural disasters. The key thing, Vince says, is to have a survival kitdynamo radio.enough food and stored water for at least three daysand havingWith our reliance on mains power, many of us also have only portable an action plan for the whole family. Preparedness is weakest whenphones that dont work when the power fails. Corded phones are youre not at home, he says. inexpensive and we should all have one somewhere in the house. So often, when a disaster hits, parents are working, the kids are atLastly, dont forget to insure your home before a natural disaster school and elderly relatives are somewhere else. You must know howstrikes. If you dont, youll have to pay for the damage yourself. youre going to get hold of one another, especially if the phones areThegovernmentfundedEarthquakeCommissioninsuresagainst out. Work out where youre going to meet if something happens anddamage caused by earthquake, natural landslip, volcanic eruption, how youre going to get back home if you need to. If your childrenhydrothermal activity, tsunami; in the case of residential land, a storm are at school, make arrangements for them.or flood; or fire caused by any of these but only to those who have Find out your communitys warning systems and evacuation routesexisting private insurance cover. from Civil Defence emergency management staff at your local council.A common mistake people make, says Chris Ryan of the Insurance Discuss and practice your evacuation plans with your family.Council of New Zealand, is having a lower level of cover than expected Everybodyshouldhavestoredwaterineasy-tocarrycontainers,or being underinsured and not getting the level of contents cover both at home and work, refreshed every year. If water quality is arequired. Some people havent read the details of their policy documents concern, add three or four drops of bleach to the water and withinto see what is actually provided. Damaged items may be assessed for half an hour it will be drinkable. If the water supply is cut off or waterrepair, and not automatically replaced with a new item. wordsVicki Holder pictureMinistry of Civil Defencetop tips ReseneRefresh Read www.getthru.govt.nz (or www.ema.gov.au) and know how to prepare for disasters. Create and practice a household emergency plan.Keep emergency food, water and survival items.Have a getaway kit at home and work. Make sure your insurance policy is up to date and you know what it provides.33'