Many Aucklanders were caught off-guard by recent storms and flooding. Photo: Supplied / Auckland Response Team South Base
Emergency management experts say daylight saving is the ideal cue for households to take stock of their plans and supplies for the worst-case scenario.
When clocks spring forward an hour on Sunday morning, Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) is asking people to think of hazards other than losing a few winks.
General manager Adam Maggs said many Aucklanders were caught off-guard during the storms and flooding in 2023, and daylight saving was a good time to get prepared.
"Aucklanders are pretty good at knowing the types of hazards that we can be impacted by, but we're not very good at making a plan and preparing for them," Maggs said.
"What we want Aucklanders to do is use the daylight saving weekend as a prompt or a cue to make a household emergency plan, to check their supplies and to know their local hazards."
He said AEM's research, conducted every six months, showed the region's residents were aware of local hazards, but not overly prepared.
"We can't control emergencies, but we can make sure we're prepared and ready, so use this daylight savings weekend to make a plan with your family, whanau, friends, flatmates and those you care about, so that you can be better prepared, if you are stuck at home, can't get home or you need to leave in a hurry."
Maggs said emergencies didn't send calendar invitations.
"The best thing to do is sit down with whanau, family, friends and flatmates, and have a conversation about what would we do if we were stuck at home. What would we do, if we couldn't get home and what would we do, if we had to leave home in a hurry?"
AEM advised people to start with the basics, such as talking about how to stay in contact, where to meet if separated, and what to do if the power, water or internet suddenly disappeared.
Its website has simple tools and checklists to build a household emergency plan.
"We're encouraging people to stay close to home, if disaster strikes," Maggs said. "A well-stocked kit is your safety net - it means you can shelter in place, without being left high and dry."
Households are advised to check their "shelter in place" emergency kit, which should have enough non-perishable food and water for three days, as well as torches, batteries, first aid, pet food, toilet paper, hand sanitiser, a gas bottle and games for the kids.
"While this campaign is focused on the Auckland region, it's relevant to the rest of New Zealand," Maggs said. "New Zealanders can all use daylight saving as a chance to review their plans, look at their supplies and learn about their local hazards."
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