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Director of Civil Defence John Hamilton - Source: ONE News -
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The National Crisis Management centre in Wellington has been activated and Civil Defence are issuing advice for Christchurch residents.
Director of Civil Defence John Hamilton told ONE News this morning that people should assess their home or workplace for damage, look for and extinguish small fires if safe to do so and not overflow the phone lines with non-emergency calls.
People are also asked to check on elderly neighbours.
Hamilton said they would co-ordinate with central government response if required to do so.
People in the affected area should:
1. Expect aftershocks. Each time one is felt, drop, cover, and hold on.
2. Check yourself first for injuries and get first aid if necessary before helping injured or trapped persons.
3. Assess your home or workplace for damage. If the building appears unsafe get everyone out. Use the stairs, not an elevator and when outside, watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines. Stay out of damaged areas.
4. Look for and extinguish small fires if safe to do so. Fire is a significant hazard following earthquakes.
5. Listen to the radio for updated emergency information and instructions.
6. Do not overload the phone lines with non-emergency calls.
7. Help people who require special assistance - infants, elderly people, those without transportation, large families who may need additional help, people with disabilities, and the people who care for them.
Food and water safety advice
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has issued advice to protect consumer from foodborne illnesses in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake. Click here to read more
Power outage
Roger Sutton of Orion Energy said that they expected to have power restored to 90% of affected areas by 6pm.
For more information visit the Civil Defence Website.
Are you in Canterbury? Do you have images or video or CCTV footage of the earthquake? Send them into news@tvnz.co.nz
Share your experiences of the earthquake on our
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentgordy said on 2010-09-09 @ 13:59 NZDT: Report abusive post
Im my 51 years on this earth I have never felt so pertrified..my first thoughts was we had been hit by a nuclear bomb and it was Armageddon. Never ever want to experience it again
schicken said on 2010-09-08 @ 19:15 NZDT: Report abusive post
I thought the same thing initially. However, another quake big enough to close or shift the cracks further is likely to be heard first and all the kids will most likely be fine. If a child does get swallowed up, I'm probably not going to have huge empathy for the media coverage or their parents, but until then, let the region have a little bit of fun. Education about health risks regarding contaminated water may be a good idea for all. :)
thinkaboutit said on 2010-09-06 @ 23:06 NZDT: Report abusive post
More great coverage tonight TVNZ especially highlighting the situation at individual community levels where people reported they felt abandoned. All credit to those organising themselves into community working groups at this level despite this. Arguably the recovery process would be greatly enhanced if these community groups were psychologically and practically supported by establishing official coordination centres at individual community levels.
Madeleine Ware said on 2010-09-06 @ 17:31 NZDT: Report abusive post
You're making some good points here. Perhaps some of the donations could be towards purchasing and setting up storage of these sorts of things. Individuals are also responsible for making their own preparations. I clean and keep old 3L juice bottles filled with water. Every now and then I water my house plants with one and refill it to refresh it.
Madeleine Ware said on 2010-09-06 @ 17:25 NZDT: Report abusive post
Why are they buying water? Aren't there several tankers about the city giving it away?