It’s up to you to make sure your whānau know what to do and that you all have what you need to get through in an emergency.

Here are 3 easy steps to get you and your household prepared:

1. Household emergency plan

Sit down, talk through and practice your plan with your family. This plan lets your whole family know what to do and how to get ready for an emergency. You can download one from getready.govt.nz

2. Grab bag

Have a grab bag ready for everyone in your family including your pets. These should include:

• Warm clothes
• Walking shoes
• Raincoat and hat
• Water, snack food, formula & pet supplies
• Nappies, formula and bottles for babies
• Hand sanitiser
• Portable phone charger
• Cash, copies of important documents and your ID
• Medications
• First aid kit with face mask
• Torch, radio and batteries

3. Stay informed

During an emergency, your local radio station will keep you up-to-date with the latest news. If the power goes out, a solar, battery-powered or car radio will be useful. You can also stay informed on Facebook. @NZCivilDefence or @MDC

Learn more about how you and your family can get prepared for an emergency at getready.govt.nz. This information is available in 14 languages along with advice for people living with a disability.