19 SEPTEMBER 2011

[cid:899102521@18092011-1979]

Daylight saving a great time to spring clean emergency supplies

Daylight saving starts at 2am this Sunday, September 25 and Hutt Valley emergency management controller Paul Nickalls is encouraging residents to check on stored water and other emergency supplies.

"When people put their clocks forward it's a great time to change stored emergency water or for those who don't have any, to start a supply. "We recommend people have at least three litres of clean drinking water per person, per day, for at least three days stored at home.

"Daylight saving is also a good opportunity to make sure other emergency supplies such as first aid kits and non-perishable foods are in place and everyone at home knows what to do in an emergency.

"We also support the NZ Fire Service message to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and test them by pushing the test button," he says. Residents can find out more about getting prepared by visiting www.huttcity.govt.nz/getready.

Water storage tips:

When refilling stored water, pour the water onto your garden and wash the containers in hot water before refilling again.

Fill each bottle with tap water until it overflows, making sure there are no air gaps and place the lids on tightly. Store the bottles in a dark place, somewhere away from sunlight.

Water can be stored by re-using soft drink or fruit juice bottles that contained reconstituted juice (not freshly pulped juice and no milk containers).

15 litre Civil Defence water containers are on sale for $15 at the Hutt City Council Building, 30 Laings Road, Lower Hutt.

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