Civil Defence Kits

Civil Defence Kits

Food and water in your civil defence kit should be replaced every 12 months. It should include enough food and water for everyone at the centre. Lunchbox food is not sufficient.

Websites like www.civildefence.govt.nz have guides for home, school, and work. Playcentres should have a serious look at the workplace civil defence kits as they cater for up to 25 people, whereas the home kits cater for five people. These workplace kits also go beyond water and food.

Include crayons in your kit. Crayons can write on windows, walls, and other surfaces so messages can be left for others.

At some centres, the civil defence kit is kept in a wheelie bin and wheeled out to the front gate at the beginning of each session so that it is already available and ready in the event
of an emergency. Backpacks are kept in the kit so that transporting the items without the wheelie bin is possible.

Make sure your equipment and building is safe
Regular building and equipment checks are crucial for making sure the building is safe in the event of an emergency. If you aren’t sure, the civil defence website mentioned above has a ’Planning and Preparedness‘ PDF checklist that you can follow.

Here is the list of items for the civil defence kit suggested by NZPF

  • Canned or dried food
  • A can opener
  • Snack bars
  • Bag of barley sugars (or similar)
  • A primus or BBQ to cook on
  • Bottled water (three litres per person per day). Replace the water every 12 months.

  • A first aid kit and essential medicines
  • Spare toilet paper and plastic rubbish bags for your emergency toilet – we suggest at least 12
  • Sanitary products
  • Pre-moistened towelettes
  • Waterproof torches and spare batteries
  • Candles and matches
  • A radio and spare batteries. Check the batteries every three months.

  • Supplies for babies and small children. Such as disposable nappies etc.
  • Baby food
  • Formula milk for infants
  • Disposable cups – plastic
  • Spare clothing
  • Blankets
  • Crayons

Resource

Click on the link for the Civil Defence Emergency Kit, First Aid Kit and Medicine Kit as put together by the Civil Defence to assist Playcentres in preparing for an emergency.