Neil Brown advocates eschewing a survival kit for more practical measures, such as always having working battery-operated radios and torches in use around the house, having good-sized containers to hold water on hand, getting the structure of your chimneys and walls checked out and strapping in your hot-water cylinder and putting a tap in it.
"What you're planning for is to be able to live in your home for several days without water.
"You've got shelter, clothing, bedding. Why would you put it all in a box in the back of a cupboard, where it might get out of date or be useless by the time you need it?
"My view is that they [survival kits] are a placebo - they might make you feel better, but they don't actually work."
People had to be a bit more practical about planning for a natural disaster, he said.
"Go and ask the Christchurch people if having a wee box would have made a difference compared with having checked the structure of their chimney or having a decent container for water on hand."
He said having working torches and battery-operated radios that get used daily meant they were more likely to have charged batteries in them. It was important to keep plenty of spare batteries in the house too.
People should make sure they had good containers available to carry water, and some bottled water.
As far as food went, he advised people to keep their homes well stocked, and in the case of an emergency, to eat perishable food first.
"Most people would be surprised how long they can live off the food they have in their cupboards."
People should take a good look at the structural integrity of their homes and consider getting their water cylinder strapped to the framework of the house and fitted with a tap.
"The power's off, or turn the power off and that's 200 litres of water right there."
Most homes had barbecues or camping equipment, but if not, people should talk to their neighbours.
"Someone will always have something that can help you out."
He advocated being a part of a neighbourhood support group.
Civil Defence booklets entitled I am prepared, Dunedin are available from the Dunedin City Council or can be sent free to your home if you call the council's customer service desk on (03) 477-4000.
EMERGENCY SURVIVAL ITEMS
If you prefer to keep your emergency survival items in the house for everyday use, make sure you know where to find them in an emergency.
Food and water - enough for three days or more
> Bottled drinking water (at least 3 litres per person a day).
> Water for washing and cooking.
> Non-perishable food (canned or dried), can opener.
> A primus or gas barbecue to cook on.
(Check and replace food and water every 12 months).
Other emergency items
> Waterproof torches and spare batteries.
> AM/FM radio and spare batteries.
> First aid kit and essential medicines.
> Toilet paper and large rubbish bags for an emergency toilet.
> Face and dust masks.
> Pet supplies.
> Blankets or sleeping bags.
> Wind and rain-proof clothing.
> Strong shoes for outdoors.
> Sun hats and sunscreen.
(Check all batteries every three months)
Supplies for babies and small children
> Food, formula and drink.
> Change of clothing and nappies.
> Favourite toy or activity.
Other supplies
> Hearing and sight aids, batteries.
> Mobility aids.
> Asthma and respiratory aids.
> Special food needs.
BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE
> Develop a household emergency plan and prepare your emergency survival items so you can cope with being on your own for up to three days or more.
> Identify safe places within your home, school or workplace. A safe place is:
• Under a strong table, remember to hold on to the legs.
• Next to an interior wall.
• Somewhere close to you, no more than a few steps,
or 2m away, to avoid injury from flying debris.
> Check your household insurance policy for cover and amount.
> Seek qualified advice to make sure your house is secured to its foundations. Also check that any renovations comply with the NZ Building Code.
> Secure heavy items of furniture to the floor or wall.
SOURCE: Civil Defence
