Easter Preparations

Michelle Hickmott from Cox Partners Estate Agents

One of the benefits of the current lockdown period is that it is demand that we prepare for un-predicable situations. In our business one of the practices we implemented some years ago at Easter Time is to review our Emergency preparedness.

While you have the time, we recommend you consider how prepared you and your family are for a major disaster? Easter is a good time to give this some serious consideration.

A recent survey of New Zealanders level of disaster preparedness found Hawkes Bay people led the country. The Colmar Brunton poll, completed for the Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management, showed 36 per cent of people in this region had a plan of action and an emergency kit in their home.

While that was 10 per cent above the national average, it means almost two-thirds of people in Hawkes Bay are dangerously unprepared for a major disaster.

And if a disaster strikes while people are away from home, the picture is worse, with less than one in five saying they had an emergency survival plan for when they are not at home.

When disaster strikes, you may need to rely on an emergency kit for several days. This is a sobering thought, but the risk is real. Please be prepared!

The experts (at getthru.govt.nz) recommend you make four simple preparations:

1. Learn about disasters and how to keep safe.

2. Create and practice a Household Emergency Plan.

3. Assemble and maintain emergency survival items.

4. Prepare Getaway Kits for leaving in a hurry.

Detailed information about each of these is available at the Civil Defense website www.getthru.govt.nz.... Please check it out.

NZ Red Cross has two very good apps for android and apple devices. The “Hazards” app helps you prepare for disasters, find help and let others know you’re safe. It also has an in-built alert system based on your location.

The “First Aid & Emergency” app gives your instant access to safety information. We recently used this app to contribute toward workplace First Aid Certificates for all our team members.

Also, we recently purchased a Civil Defense Emergency Water Tank from Napier City Council. At just $110 we feel this is exceptional value (you and buy these online from the Council).

From the entire Cox Partners team we wish you a happy Easter.

Cox Partners are working (from home, online) throughout the lockdown period. For us it’s business as (un)usual. Please call us on (06) 835- 4321 anytime.