During an emergency
During an emergency you should listen to your radio for updates and any public health issue notices.
Use water safely during an emergency
Collecting water
Collect rainwater by:
- placing a clean container outside to catch rain
- disconnecting the downpipe from the roof and filling a container.
Do not collect drinking water from the roof if it is contaminated with ash, smoke deposits or other debris.
Check your stored water
- Check your stored water by holding it up to the light. If it has anything floating in it or it is not clear, strain and boil for one minute.
- You can add 5 drops of plain, unperfumed household bleach per litre of water, and stand for 30 minutes before drinking.
- Switch off power to the hot water cylinder if the water supply fails.
Drinking water
- During an emergency, make sure you drink plenty of water.
- Boil water for one minute before drinking it. It is okay to use jugs with an automatic cutoff switch as long as they are full. You should not hold the switch down to increase boiling time. Go to the Taumata Arowai website for more options on how to treat water in an emergency.
How to make water safe to drink under a boil water notice — Taumata Arowai - Store cooled boiled water in a clean container with a lid.
- Boiled water is best used within 24 hours and can be boiled again to make sure it is safe. This is especially important for preparing infant formula.
- Do not drink water from the town supply unless you have been told that it is fit for drinking.
- Do not drink water from a private well if it has been flooded.
- Do not assume domestic water filters are effective. They can become contaminated.
For more information around using water safely in an emergency visit the Taumata Arowai website.
You can also download these factsheets:
- Drinking water supplies following a flood event
- Advice for drinking water supplies following a flood event — Bore water
- Advice for drinking water supplies following a flood event — Rainwater
Guidance and resources — Taumata Arowai
Using water to clean
- Wash your hands well. If water is in very short supply, keep some in a bowl with disinfectant added. Change it frequently.
- If spa and swimming pool water is available, use it to keep yourself clean and for washing clothes.
- Do not waste drinking water on cleaning clothes.
- Use a bucket and towel for washing. Throw the used water over the land, or put a hole in the ground and cover with soil. Do not put it down the toilet or drains.
Food safety during an emergency
During an emergency:
- use treated water to wash vegetables and fruit — add 5 drops of plain, unperfumed household bleach to one litre of water and stand for 30 minutes, or boil for one minute
- keep food containers and cooking utensils clean
- use disposable paper towels where possible
- store food safely to protect it from rats, flies and other pests, as well as any toxic chemicals
- get rid of all rubbish by burning or burying it so that it does not attract pests.
Normal household services such as water supplies, waste disposal (including sewerage) and electricity for cooking and refrigeration may break down during emergencies, such as floods. This can pose a health risk.
Because food and water are easily contaminated during emergencies, you need to take extra care to avoid getting sick.
The Ministry for Primary Industries website has information about food safety during an emergency.
- Food safety in natural disasters and emergencies — Ministry for Primary Industries
- Food safety in the home after flooding (PDF, 1,301 KB) — Ministry for Primary Industries
- Food safety advice for homekill meat after a natural disaster (PDF, 1,418 KB) — Ministry for Primary Industries
Saving food items after a flood
Floodwaters can carry bugs that cause disease from:
- the ground surface
- septic tanks
- sewerage systems.
These can contaminate food and utensils.
Feeding your baby safely during an emergency
Babies are at more risk of becoming dehydrated or getting sick, so they need special care and attention in an emergency.
Breastfeeding is the safest way to feed babies, particularly in an emergency. If this is not an option, take extra care when preparing infant formula. You will need safe, clean water and a way to sterilise equipment like bottles and teats.
If you breastfeed, do not start formula feeding in an emergency.
If possible, increase breastfeeding rather than using formula.
Look after yourself by drinking safe water and eating regularly. This will help maintain your breast milk supply.
Breastfeeding can help calm you and your baby. Continue to breastfeed even if you are concerned your milk is not flowing as well. Offering a baby a feed more frequently will help get your supply back to normal. Keep your baby close with skin-to-skin contact, in a quiet comfortable place where possible.
You may be able to start breastfeeding again if you stopped in the last few weeks.
If expressing milk, there is advice on sterilising bottles and breast pumps in the formula feeding section below. If you cannot sterilise the breast pump you will need to hand express.
You can keep expressed milk (fresh or thawed) for 4 hours at room temperature. If you are not sure when the breast milk thawed, do not use it.
If you do not have safe water or electricity, take extra care preparing feeds.
Use newborn formula for babies 0-6 months. This is suitable for older babies if you run out.
Surfaces and utensils must be as clean as possible. If you cannot clean a surface, cover it with a clean paper towel.
Wash your hands for 20 seconds. If you do not have warm, soapy water use a baby wipe for any visible dirt and then use an alcohol-based sanitiser.
Sterilise bottles, teats and breast pumps
First wash the bottles, teats and breast pumps in warm, soapy water.
Sterilise in hot water
Boil equipment at a rolling boil for 1 minute. Keep the pot covered until you need the items and use tongs to remove items. You can re-boil the water and use again.
Sterilise in cold water
Use sterilising tablets and soak for at least 15 minutes, making sure there are no air bubbles. You can keep the equipment in the solution with a lid on it.
Make a new sterilising solution every 24 hours. Use the old solution for washing hands or dishes.
If you do not have a bottle, use a sterilised cup or spoon. Let the baby sip, don't pour formula down the baby's throat. They will need practice.
Make water safe for preparing formula
If your usual drinking water supply is not available, make sure your replacement water is safe.
The safest water option to use in an emergency is commercial bottled water that is sealed. If your baby is less than 3 months old, you must still boil this water and cool to room temperature before use.
Boil water for 1 minute for babies of all ages. You can use an electric jug or a stove kettle until it switches or whistles.
Taumata Arowai has information on boiling water so it is safe.
How to make water safe to drink under a boil water notice — Taumata Arowai
Use water purification tablets for babies of all ages. Follow instructions on the packet.
Preparing formula
Follow the instructions on the tin. Use leftover formula within 2 hours.
Wash the bottle and treat with clean soapy water straight after use.
If your baby is eating solid foods
Increase breastfeeding so they need less solid food or breastfeed only.
If you are formula feeding, but don't have enough formula, give more solid food and safe water if your baby is over 9 months.
Before giving your baby solids, wash their hands or wipe with a baby wipe and then use hand sanitiser.
You can use ready-to-eat baby food from the jar or pouch. Once it is opened, give it to your baby straightaway – do not keep for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
You can feed your baby what you and your family is eating, just make sure the texture of the food is suitable for the baby's age.
Do not give your baby food that can spoil or become unsafe if it has not been kept chilled. Throw away food past its best-before date.
Throw away high risk food (such as meat, seafood, egg dishes, rice and prepared baby cereals) which have been at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Babies are more at risk from food poisoning than older children or adults.
Use only thawed food that has stayed cold. Remember: If in doubt, throw it out.
If your supplies are low or you need help
Ask neighbours. Shops might be open but take cash as eftpos may be down.
Talk to Civil Defence in your area or visit your nearest welfare centre.
Phone Healthline: 0800 611 116
Protecting your health in an emergency
Waste management during an emergency
Getting rid of rubbish
- Store rubbish in heavy duty plastic bags securely tied ready for collection.
- Take rubbish bags to a central collection site if available.
- Dig a trench in the backyard. Cover with soil after each use to reduce smells and vermin, for example, rats.
- Burn dry rubbish in the backyard using large drums. Or, build a makeshift incinerator from concrete blocks, bricks, and wire mesh.
Wastewater overflows
Sewage overflows can make waterways unsafe for recreation. This includes swimming, paddling and collecting kai like shellfish. Overflows can also contaminate streams, rivers and harbours.
- Sewage contains viruses and bacteria that can be harmful to both humans and animals. These can also accumulate in shellfish and make them unsafe to eat.
- Do not collect food (shellfish, puha, watercress or fish) from areas contaminated from sewage overflows.
- Keep yourself, children and any pets away from contaminated water. Do not swim, surf or kayak in the water until the beach or river is safe.
- Avoid contact with any ponded water around septic tanks or disposal fields.
- You can get infected from contaminated water through an open sore or wound. You can also get infected through your eyes, ears and nose.
- If swallowed, contaminated water can cause tummy bug (gastroenteritis). People usually recover from nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea without seeking medical treatment. Contact Healthline on 0800 611 116 or your healthcare provider for advice and information on what to do next. Refer to Diarrhoea and vomiting in adults (gastroenteritis)
- Young children, pregnant people, older adults and people with weakened immunity are most at risk of disease from contaminated water.
Visit Safeswim or Land Air Water Aoteroa (LAWA) for water quality and swimming conditions.
Disposing of sewerage
You will need a makeshift toilet if your toilet cannot be used.
- Line a bucket or rubbish bin with a strong, leak-proof plastic bag.
- Put half a cup of liquid bleach in the bag.
- Make a seat from 2 planks of wood or use a toilet seat on top of the container.
- Keep the bin completely covered when not in use, to prevent attracting flies.
- Tie the top of the bag firmly when full and place it inside another bag.
- Dig a hole well away from the vegetable garden and downhill from any water source and bury the bag.
- Make sure the bag is well covered with dirt.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet or handling human waste.
- Dig a hole up to one metre deep well away from any vegetable gardens and any water sources.
- Make a seat out of planks of wood.
- Cover the waste properly with dirt after each use.
- Throw in a little garden lime, insecticide or disinfectant to reduce smells and flies.
- Use the long drop until it is full to within 300 mm of ground level.
- Cover completely with soil and dig a new long drop.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet or handling human waste.
Septic tanks after a flood
During a flood event, septic tanks and drainage areas may become flooded. Floodwaters can clog up pipes which may cause a sewage backup in toilets and drains. Other signs that your septic tank may be affected include slow draining toilets and drains, or a sewage smell.
If you are experiencing any of the above you will need to arrange temporary toilet facilities.
Learn how to make a temporary toilet or long drop in the section above.
What you should do with your septic tank
- Check gully traps for debris and silt and remove material so that is not flushed into the tank.
- Check outlet filters on septic tanks for clogging and clean or replace if necessary. Flooding of the tank will lift scum and fats that may block the outlet or outlet filters. If you have concerns that the system is damaged or clogged with silt or debris you should have your septic tank and drainage field professionally checked and cleaned.
- Ensure stock/animals cannot access the drainage field area.
- Reduce water usage in your home until the septic tank system is working and the water table falls.
- Wash and dry your hands every time after using the toilet, handling human waste or checking your septic tank system.
- Avoid contact with any ponded water in the area of the septic tank or disposal field.
What you shouldn't do with your septic tank
- Use your septic tank system until the floodwaters over the drainage field have gone.
- Pump out your septic tank during flood conditions or saturated soil conditions as it may cause the tank to rise out of the ground and damage the pipework.
- Attempt to clean out the septic tank yourself – tanks may contain dangerous gases (use septic tank contractors).
- Drive or operate heavy machinery over the drainage field as saturated soil is easily compacted – this will reduce the ability of the soil to absorb wastewater.
- Drink water from bores and wells close to flooded septic tank systems until the water has been tested.
Looking after yourself during an emergency
Keeping yourself healthy
- Wash your hands often.
- Do not touch your face with your hands without first cleaning them when they have been in floodwater. It may carry materials which are dangerous to your health.
- Do not smoke or eat in a contaminated area.
- Wear rubber gloves and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling contaminated food and other material.
- See a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you get a puncture wound, or have any other sort of accident.
Stay out of flood water
- Do not walk, swim, drive through, or play in flood water.
- Always assume that all flood water is contaminated with farm run-off, animal and human sewage and chemicals.
- Flood water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
- Avoid contact with any ponded water around septic tanks or disposal fields.
- If you come into contact with floodwater, thoroughly clean hands and clothing.
Accommodation
In a major emergency, especially earthquake and flood, there may be serious damage to buildings. You may have to leave your home and live in emergency accommodation. If this happens, make sure power, gas and water are all turned off before you go.
The Get Ready website has items you should take with you if you can.