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Crime Prevention Journal - Safer Communities Together

1 Crime Prevention Community Safer Communities Together
This booklet, provided with the compliments of the Police Managers Guild Trust, concentrates
on personal safety, not only in our homes but also in our neighbourhoods and communities.
Each of us has a duty to keep ourselves, our communities and our families safe.
Although we can rely on the Police to support us they can not be everywhere at all times.
We have a right to be safe in public and in our homes but we have a responsibility to be
prudent about our personal safety if we want to lessen the chances of becoming a victim.
This booklet shows that there are many simple things we can do to keep us, our neighbours
and communities safe.
Apart from providing common sense tips that help to prevent physical harm, we have
included up to date information and advice about risks our children face with new technology.
The Police Managers Guild Trust believes you will fnd the information contained in the booklet valuable in keeping
you safe and feeling safe in your home and community. We also believe the information provided will help you to
better access the services the Police if you need them and support them in keeping you safe.
You have a right to feel safe and be safe
Jim Searle
Inspector Jim Searle
Chairman, Police Managers Guild Trust
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Police Managers Guild Trust would like to acknowledge the following people and organisations who provided
valuable assistance to make this publication possible.
Creating Leaders
Published by Line 2 Line Concepts Ltd
PO Box 11 638, Wellington. 12th Floor, 34 Manners Street, Wellington
Telephone: (04) 801-0840, Facsimile: (04) 801-0841, www.line2line.co.nz
DISCLAIMER - The Police Managers Guild Trust has made every efort to ensure the content
in this publication is correct and up-to-date. However, we take no responsibility for any errors
or omissions. We recommend you call the police on 111 in emergency situations, or in other
situations seek advice from other help agencies. We take no responsibility for any material
appearing on websites mentioned in this publication.
Senior Sergeant Steve OConnor, Inspector
Morris Cheer and Lesley Wallis, NZ Police
www.police.govt.nz
Trish Green, Ministry of Social
Development www.areyouok.org.nz
Jackson Wood, NZ Drug Foundation
www.drugfoundation.org.nz
Colin Bramftt, Foundation for Alcohol
and Drug Education www.fade.org.nz
Lynn Walsh, Health Promotion Agency
www.alcohol.org.nz
Virginia Barker, Ofce for Senior Citizens
www.osc.govt.nz
Louise Collins, Age Concern
www.ageconcern.org.nz
Martin Cocker, Netsafe www.netsafe.org.nz
Karlum Lattimore, NZ Fire Service
www.fre.org.nz
Ian King, Otaki Fire Brigade
Wayne Carter, Safekids NZ
www.safekids.org.nz
Alex Brunt and Anna Dawson, Water Safety NZ
www.watersafety.org.nz
Vince Cholewa, Ministry for Civil Defence and
Emergency Management www.getthru.govt.nz
A very special thank you to all the sponsors of this programme. Without their support this booklet would not be
possible. Please patronise these sponsors.
FROM THE CHAIRMAN ........................... 1
CONTENTS
Keep the burglars out ............................ 3
Street wise, street safe .......................... 5
Dont let them take your car ................. 6
Stay safe online ....................................... 8
Keep kids road safe ................................ 23
Stay safe around water .......................... 13
Stay fre safe ............................................. 14
Stay quake safe ........................................ 17
Stay safe with alcohol ............................ 19
Stay safe with drugs ............................... 21
Ageing safely ........................................... 24
Family violence is not OK ...................... 27
SPONSORS ............................................... 30
GET READY, GET THROUGH .................. 31
THOSE WHO CAN HELP ............................... 35
Womens Refuge ...................................... 35
Victim Support ......................................... 35
Citizens Advice Bureaux ........................ 35
Relationship Services ............................. 35
Plunket ....................................................... 36
Other helpers ........................................... 36
Help with efective parenting ............... 36
Your local Police station ......................... 36
Finding a burglary in your home can be one of the most upsetting
things to happen to you. Knowing a burglar has been in your home and
rummaging through your things while youve been out feels like theyve
invaded your private space.
Long gone are the days of trusting that you can leave
the doors unlocked. Securing your home now has to
be part of an evening routine, whenever you leave the
house, or when youre home alone.
If you want to keep your home secure, think like a
burglar. Have you lost your keys or left them at work and
broken into your own home? How easy was it? Imagine
how easy it would be for an experienced burglar. Have
a look around your home and see what burglary risks
you have. Do you windows open when youre out?
The police have lots of tips you can use to keep you and
your home safe. Heres some of them:
Lock ALL your doors and windows at night, if youre
going out, if youre in the garden or if youre home
alone. Make sure all your locks and handles are
strong. Upgrade them if theyre loose or need repair
and install deadlocks if possible.
Install sensor lights on access paths or around your
main external doors.
Install a peep-hole in a front door so you know
whos visiting.
Ask any unannounced visitors who they are and
what they want. Ask them to go somewhere (outside
a closed window) where you can see them
and their ID. If youre not happy with their
answers or their ID, dont open the door.
Dont leave your keys under the front door mat or
obvious hiding place. Again, think like a burglar
where would you look for keys?
Separate your house keys from your vehicle keys
you dont want the burglar using your vehicle
to load up with your possessions and have the
double-whammy of a car theft as well.
Keep tools and ladders inside, or secured in a locked
shed or garage. Burglars travel light, so theyll look for
useful tools on the property. Hammers, screwdrivers,
crowbars etc are a burglars tools of trade, so keep
your tools secure. Dont leave a ladder leaning up
against the house or readily available outside.
Balance your privacy with security. Keep bushes
and hedges trimmed back so theres nowhere for
a burglar to hide, especially close to windows and
doors near the house.
Keep a record of the serial numbers of valuable
property and take photos of it. You can engrave
property with an identifying number such as your
driver licence number if it doesnt already have a
serial number. The most secure way is to use the
Snap online security (see separate article).
Keep valuables out of sight, especially away from
windows.
If youve recently bought a valuable item, destroy
the packaging or hide it in the rubbish/recycling.
Burglars will notice these things.
If youve been burgled recently, double your security
eforts. Burglars know youll replace stolen items
with new, and might try again.
Dont leave a message on your answer phone that
suggests youre out or alone.
If you live alone, especially as a woman, dont use
your frst name in the telephone directory. Use
initials.
If youre going away for a while, tell a trusted
neighbour so they can keep an eye on the place. Tell
them to call 111 if they see anything suspicious and
give them a contact number for you. Get them to
clear your mailbox daily or get the Post Ofce and
newspaper ofce to hold your deliveries until you
get back.
Set up or join a Neighbourhood Support Group in
your area and display Neighbourhood Support signs
and stickers. Its a great way to get to know your
neighbours and develop plans to deal with problems
or suspicious activity. Exchanging phone numbers or
emergency contact details is a good start.
Police are always interested in suspicious activity.
Dont hesitate to call the police to report something
out of the ordinary and, if you see a crime being
committed, call 111 immediately.
Why your place?
Information from the police and Neighbourhood
Support suggests burglars like properties:
Where it looks like no-ones home lights arent on
at night, curtains are drawn during the day, and mail
and newspapers are building up in the letterbox.
Where a window or door is left open or unsecured.
Where people cant see what theyre doing from the
street trees and shrubs might block the view.
That have alleyways running beside them or back
onto parks, reserves or green belts.
Where valuable items are left outside overnight,
such as a bike.
Where the garage door is open, they can see your car
isnt there and theres something valuable inside,
such as a lawnmower or chainsaw.
Theyve been to before, knowing the layout, whats
in them and how to get out.
Theyve burgled before, so theyll try again when
valuables have been replaced with new items.
Burglars dont like:
Houses with alarms
Neighbours who support each other, talk to each
other and take an interest in whats going on around
them, particularly people they dont know or havent
seen before.
Neighbours who report suspicious activity to police
and are able to give good descriptions of who and
what theyve seen.
A vehicle in the driveway.
Lights, TV or radio on.
People who mark valuable property with serial
numbers and keep a record of those numbers.
Remember if you see anything suspicious,
call the police on 111.
Everyone is entitled to enjoy public places without fear for their personal safety.
The reality, however, is that our streets are not always safe, so it pays to be street smart to
stay safe. A little information, awareness and planning can be a big help.
Planning
If youre heading out, especially at night, take a little
time to plan.
What will you take with you? If youre taking
something valuable, keep it hidden. Keep expensive
jewellery covered up.
Make sure you take your cellphone, and make sure
its fully charged before you leave.
Tell family, friends or fatmates where youre going,
when you expect to get home and whether youre
going to stay over somewhere for the night (if you
are going to stay out, call them and let them know).
Take your ID, some cash or an eftpos card so you dont
fnd yourself at a parking building with no money, or
at a bus stop or taxi stand without the fare.
Work out how youre getting home if its public
transport, when do the buses and trains stop
running?
If youre driving with mates and want to drink, work
out whos going to drive home so that person doesnt
drink.
When youre out
Theres safety in numbers. Stick with your mates. If
youre going to be drinking, do so in moderation. The
more you drink, the worse your decisions will be.
If youre drinking, have water or non-alcoholic drinks
between each drink.
Stick with your drink dont leave it unattended and
only drink what youve seen poured in front of you.
Keep an eye on your gear. Bags, cellphones and other
gear is being stolen because people havent taken
care. If you cant hold on to your gear, at least put it
somewhere you can see it all the time.
Dont leave with someone youve just met or accept
a lift with a stranger.
If you use a public toilet, fnd a busy one with lots
of people around. Check to see no-ones loitering
nearby. Ask a mate to wait for you. Leave if youre
not comfortable.
Use teller machines only if you think its safe.
Pick one in a well-lit area at night. Shield your PIN
number, make only small withdrawals if possible,
and put your money away quickly.
If you think youre being followed, cross the street, vary
your pace and direction, and go to somewhere busy,
such as a service station or fast food outlet. If youre
worried, call 111.
If you are confronted, be confdent and assertive. Say
loudly Leave me alone or words to that efect. If you
have to physically defend yourself, go for the eyes,
nose and genital area. Use whatevers handy handbag,
briefcase or umbrella. Dial 111 as soon as possible.
Theft of vehicles and from vehicles is still a major problem in New Zealand.
Apart from the personal upset and inconvenience of having your vehicle stolen, insurance
companies pay out (through your premiums) about $110 million a year.
Dealing with vehicle-related theft also ties up valuable
police resources.
Most car thieves are looking for easy targets to take joy-
riding, to strip for parts to use or sell, or a vehicle to use
to commit a crime. The cars then dumped and often
trashed or burnt out. Some vehicles are rebirthed,
which means thieves use a real vehicle identifcation
number usually from a pranged vehicle and apply
it to a stolen vehicle of the same age, make and model.
The stolen vehicle is then re-registered and sold to an
unsuspecting buyer.
Theft from vehicles includes property such as wheels,
stereos and personal items purses and wallets,
clothing, briefcases, laptops, cell phones and so on.
Most of the time, thieves just force a lock or smash a
window.
Reduce the risk
The police suggest the following steps will reduce the
risk of having your vehicle stolen or broken into.
Keep your keys with you and keep spares keys at
home or work.
Dont hide a spare key on the car thieves will fnd
it.
Always lock your car, including the boot and the
sunroof if you have one.
Park in busy, open, well-lit areas if possible.
Use an attended, secure parking building if
possible.
If you have your vehicle in a garage at home, lock the
garage and the car.
Contents
Dont leave things where people can see them.
Take your valuable stuf with you or leave it at home
not in the glovebox or under a seat.
Keep larger items such as bags, luggage, coats etc
locked out of sight in the boot.
Keep a record of car stereo serial numbers.
Other ideas
Some of these steps might reduce your insurance
premiums (talk to your insurance company).
Install a car alarm
Install an electronic engine immobiliser they make
it really hard to hotwire or start a car without the
right key, which contains an electronic code.
Use a steering wheel club or lock, lockable fuel cap
and lockable wheel nuts.
Etch your registration or Vehicle Identifcation
Number (VIN) on windows, windscreens and
headlights.
Beware when buying
If youre buying a vehicle and you want to be sure its a
legitimate sale:
Ensure the seller of the vehicle is the registered
owner (if not, why not).
Does the seller have both sets of keys?
Does the seller have the original log books and
history of servicing?
Check all identifcation plates, engine and chassis
numbers for tampering.
You can check online to see if a vehicles listed as stolen
at www.police.govt.nz/stolen/vehicles. Its a great
website you can use to enter the vehicles registration
number, VIN, engine or chassis number. The database
the site accesses is updated by police three times per
day, but there could be a brief delay in stolen vehicles
appearing and in recovered vehicles being cleared
from the list.
You can also download a fle of stolen vehicles from the
past six months by area, or all of New Zealand.
Found a stolen vehicle?
If you see a stolen vehicle being driven or if the
occupants are nearby, call the police on 111 and let
them deal with it. Dont chase a stolen vehicle.
If its been abandoned, call your local police station.
Remember if you want to report it but dont want
anyone knowing who you are, call anonymously to
Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Your motorcycle
Dont let the thieves get your bike, either.
Keep your keys on you at all times.
Use an ignition or steering lock.
Use a strong, thick chain and U lock. Keep the chain
of the ground to make it harder to cut.
Secure your motorcycle to something solid that cant
be moved.
Keep your helmet with you or use a helmet lock.
Install an alarm or other anti-theft/immobiliser
device.
Etch or mark your motorcycle with your registration
or Vehicle Identifcation Number (VIN).
Garage your motorcycle and lock the bike and the
garage.
Use a motorcycle cover.
Not so long ago, parents and their children were more concerned about physical harm, rather
than anything that might pose a threat electronically. Concerns were more about getting to
and from school, or safely home after a party.
Threats have become more subtle as childrens access
to digital devices has become more widespread. Along
with the undoubted benefts of being able to access a
wealth of information and keep in touch wherever they
are, children can also view inappropriate information
or be manipulated by unseen predators.
The good news is that as parents and responsible
teenagers, we can take some fairly simple steps to
minimise the risks.
The internet
If you have children in the house or have children
visit regularly, put parental control features on your
computers, digital television services, video games,
mobile phones and software. Each of these devices
require diferent settings, so contact your service
provider or look up www.netsafe.org.nz to fnd out
how to install them. For younger children, cell phones
developed just for them are now available.
Parental controls generally consist of:
Content flters, which limit access to age-appropriate
content. These can limit content ranging from explicit
songs to violent movies available online.
Usage controls, which restrict the use of the device
such as imposing time limits or prohibiting certain
types of use. They can even turn of devices at certain
times of day or locate a child when they should be at
home.
Social media
Millions of people worldwide are connected to social
media sites, such as Facebook. While its great to keep
in touch with friends and family, you need to ensure
information especially that of your children is seen
only by those you want to see it. You also want to have
some control over what other people post about you,
or photos of you, on their pages.
If youre not familiar with settings available on
your social media site, get some information at
www.netsafe.org.nz or search for it on your social
media website. If you see ofensive material, report
it to your social media provider. They should respond
fairly quickly and may remove it or shut down the
users account.
Recently, Facebook pages have been set up in New
Zealand that post malicious, distressing, unkind and rude
comments about people sometimes anonymously.
One even rated the sexual prowess of individuals. If
you want to complain about profles, pages and other
content, use the link on your Facebook page, Report/
Block this person.
Facebook do take complaints seriously, and recently
issued A Guide to Facebook Security. This guide
suggests:
Only Friend people you know.
Create a secure password and use it only for
Facebook.
Dont share your password.
Change your password regularly.
Share your personal information only with people
and companies that need it
Log into Facebook only once each session. If it looks
like Facebook is asking you to log in a second time,
skip the links and directly type www.facebook.com
into your browser address bar.
Use a one-time password when using someone elses
computer.
Log out of Facebook after using someone elses
computer.
Use secure browsing whenever possible.
Only download apps from sites you trust.
Keep your anti-virus software updated.
Keep your browser and other applications up to
date.
Dont paste script (code) in your browser address
bar.
Use browser add-ons like Web of Trust and Firefoxs
NoScript to keep your account from being hijacked.
Beware of goofy posts from anyone even Friends.
If it looks like something your Friend wouldnt post,
dont click on it.
Scammers might hack your Friends accounts and
send links from their accounts. Beware of enticing
links coming from your Friends.
Cyber bullying
The bullies of old would use physical force or the
backing of mates to harass people in the school yard or
on the street. Finding them was not difcult. The cyber
bullies of today, however, often hide behind technology
and can operate 24 hours a day.
By defnition, cyber bullying occurs among young
people. (When an adult is involved, it may meet the
defnition of cyber harassment or cyber stalking, a
crime that can have legal consequences.) Its using the
internet, a mobile phone or other technology such as
a digital camera to hurt, harass, threaten or embarrass
someone.
The Law Commission says one in 10 New Zealanders
have experienced what it calls harmful
communications on the internet. That number doubles
for those aged 19-29. Other research shows that one
in fve New Zealand college students experience some
form of cyber bullying or harassment, and one in six
pre-teens.
Cyber bullying can be devastating for young people. It
contributes to truancy, failure at school and emotional
problems such as depression, self-harm and in extreme
cases, suicide. Sometimes it can be easy to spot for
example, if your child shows you a cruel text message,
tweet, or response to a status update on Facebook. But
often its less obvious, such as impersonating a victim
online or posting personal information, photos, or
videos.
The signs
Its not always easy to know when your child is being
cyber bullied. Many children dont say anything because
theyre embarrassed or worried that their computer or
mobile will be taken away from them. However, there
are some signs parents can look out for:
Emotional distress during or after using the internet
or the phone.
Protective or secretive of their digital life.
Withdrawing from friends and activities.
Avoiding school or group gatherings.
Slipping grades and getting angry at home.
Changes in mood, behaviour, sleep, or appetite.
Advice for parents
As a parent, you need to know whats happening in your
childrens online world, and understand it as best you
can. Know what devices they have, what sites theyre
visiting and who theyre talking to. Talk to them about
the importance of privacy and why its a bad idea to
share personal information, even with friends.
Other tips:
Tell younger children to be careful who they give
their mobile number to and to not pass on friends
numbers without asking them frst.
Remind children not to respond to texts from people
they dont know. In some cases, bullies send out
random texts and wait to see who responds.
Remind them to change passwords regularly and tell
no-one what they are.
Always think about whether something you send
might make another person feel uncomfortable.
Whether its a joke or something about another
person, be aware that it might be taken the wrong
way or sent on to someone else. If in doubt, dont
send it.
Talk with your child about how images, if posted
online or sent on a mobile phone, could get sent on
to others and be used to bully or embarrass them.
If you know cyber bullying is happening, Netsafe
suggests you:
Understand the problem. NetSafe has created a
dedicated cyber bullying www.cyberbullying.
org.nz which ofers practical guidance for young
people, parents and caregivers, and teachers and
principals who want help to understand and deal
with bullying in cyberspace.
Block the bully. You can electronically block
messages on most devices. Be aware, however, that a
determined bully will simply change their electronic
signature and start all over again.
Reassure your child. If they tell you theyve been
cyber bullied, tell them theyve done the right thing
and can trust you with the problem. Dont take away
their technology (young people say the fear of losing
access to their computer or mobile phone is one of
the reasons they often dont tell adults).
Contact the police if the bullying involves physical
threats or call 111 if youre concerned about your
childs immediate safety. Making such threats is
deemed to be criminal behaviour.
Save evidence of all bullying messages and images.
Save cell phone messages or log dates and times
of messages and take screenshots of bullying on
websites or instant messenger (IM) chats. This might
help later if you report the bullying to the school or
the police.
At school
The vast majority of children today at secondary school
and many primary school children carry a mobile phone.
The technology of smart phones is making it easier
for cyber bullies to not only send text messages, but
also send or post online threatening or embarrassing
images and video clips.
If you think someone at school is bullying your child,
contact the principal as soon as possible. The Education
Act 1998 includes National Administrative Guideline 5,
which says schools are to provide a safe physical and
emotional environment for students. This includes
dealing with behaviour such as cyber bullying that
occurs out of school but has implications for student
well-being while at school.
Websites
Report internet cyber bullying to the website where the
bullying took place. Usually theres a Report Abuse
button or Safety link. Netsafe (www.netsafe.org.nz)
has plenty of information about how to report online
harassment and abuse to providers such as Facebook,
Google and Microsoft.
Online chat
If you can, block the bullying messages coming through.
Take screenshots of any bullying messages sent and
save them as evidence.
Mobile phones
If bullying messages are coming through to a mobile,
contact your phone company. Netsafe has plenty of
information on how to contact phone companies. When
you buy or if your children buy their frst phone,
talk to them about how they can use it safely and
responsibly. One phone provider has a parents guide
(internet search Vodafone guide to mobile phones),
which ofers simple guidance on security, mobile text
bullying, sexting and road safety.
Report the abuse to the provider and ask it to take
action. The company should be able to trace the source
of the messages and warn the bully that they could
lose their number and/or access to the network if they
continue.
Where to get help
www.netsafe.org.nz Netsafe, for a wide range of
information about internet safety and useful tips on
parental control settings and software etc.
www.cyberbullying.org.nz and www.inmyday.org.nz
Netsafe websites that provide advice to young people,
parents and caregiver, teachers and principals.
www.wellbeingatschool.org.nz provides schools with
self-review tools to build a safe and caring climate that
deters bullying.
Forget the house, the car or the fash TV. Our kids are our most precious asset and deserve
special care and attention, especially when theyre most vulnerable on and around the
roads.
As adults, we are the biggest infuencers of kids
behaviour in the community. If kids see us running
across the road in front of trafc or cycling without a
helmet, they will see that as OK.
If they walk to school, walk with them several times
so you can identify the hazards and show them what
to do. Show them why using a pedestrian crossing is
important, and the dangers of crossing the road.
We also need to be alert to the special way kids react
to situations. As drivers, we should take care when we
see kids, or where theyre likely to be (around schools,
playgrounds and school buses). Slow down and be
extra vigilant. By their very nature, kids are impulsive
and bad judges of distance and speed, so even if they
see you, they might still run onto the road.
Every year about 40 children die as pedestrians and
about 100 are seriously injured mostly going to or
from school, or near their homes. Child pedestrian
injuries account for about a third of all trafc-related
child deaths.
So what can we do to keep our kids safe on the road? At
a basic level, we can:
Teach kids how to use pedestrian crossings and
controlled intersections safely.
Use a walking school bus or set one up if there
isnt one already (see below).
Use a school travel plan.
Keep your vehicle speed around kids very slow
around school buses the law says you must travel
at only 20km/h (in both directions).
Walking school buses
A great innovation that is gaining support throughout
the country is whats known as walking school buses,
initiated in New Zealand by the organisation Safekids
NZ.
Its essentially a group of parents who walk with up to
eight primary school children to ensure they get safely
to and from school. The kids are dropped of and picked
up at stops on a designated route by their parents. The
route is usually about a kilometre long and is assessed
for suitability by a trafc engineer.
Safekids says the key benefts of the walking school
buses are:
Reducing the known risk factors for child pedestrian
injury.
Reducing car congestion around schools (an average
of 21 fewer cars traveling to school per route).
Greater awareness by everyone in the community on
the role they play in child pedestrian safety.
Cycle safety
Nearly 500 children a year are hospitalised after cycle
accidents and on average two children die each year
(most of them boys). Boys aged 10-14 years are at
greatest risk of fatal injury.
The main messages for child cyclists are:
Be smart plan safe cycle routes with an adult, the
best riders are skilled riders.
Be safe no helmet no bike.
Be seen wear bright colours, and use refective gear
such as high-visibility vests and backpack covers to
give you a better chance of other road users seeing
you.
Driveways
New Zealand is somewhat unique in having long
driveways on properties, especially in the smaller
rural towns. This is because the quarter-acre section
traditionally had the garage at the back of the section.
The danger of the long driveway is the distance cars
often have to travel in reverse, which limits drivers
ability to see small children. Vision from a drivers seat
can be restricted for up to 10 metres from the back of
the car.
Every two weeks a child is hospitalised with serious
injuries received from a vehicle driving on a private
driveway in New Zealand. Another fve kids are killed
annually, on average. Most injuries are to toddlers
about two years old and are often severe. The driver is
usually a close family member, resulting in devastating
efects on families.
A recent Safekids campaign has raised awareness
throughout the country of how to be more safety
conscious on driveways. The message is that you
should know where the kids are before you get in the
car, because if an accident happens, theres no going
back.
Check, supervise and separate:
Check for children before driving of.
Supervise children around vehicles always.
Separate play areas from driveways.
Also have someone watch around your vehicle as you
leave to ensure no kids are nearby, and get visitors to
park on the road.
Safety seats
A recent law change means all children aged up to 7
must be in an appropriate child restraint (such as a
booster seat) in a vehicle, and those aged between
7-8 must use one if its available. The change aims to
reduce the injury and fatality rate for young children
by ensuring theyre not restrained in an adult seat belt.
In any event, its recommended that kids use a child
restraint or booster seat at least until theyre 148cm
tall.
One of the leading causes of injury involves children
as passengers in vehicles. About 15 children a year die
and about 300 end up in hospital. Booster seats for
pre-school and school-aged kids have been shown to
reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death by up to
59 percent.
Keep the kids safe by:
Always using the correct child restraint and booster
seat for your childs height and age.
Following the manufacturers instructions for your
child restraint.
Making sure your child restraint or booster seat
correctly fts your vehicle.
Getting help installing your child restraint or booster.
Contact an NZTA-certifed child restraint technician
for support and to get help to correctly install a child
restraint.
Putting kids in the back seat where its safest.
Source, and for further information: Safekids New
Zealand www.safekids.org.nz
Drowning is the third most common cause of accidental death in New Zealand, behind road
vehicle accidents and falls.
Being safe in the water doesnt mean you cant have
fun, but thinking about your safety and that of family
and friends can save lives.
As an island country, New Zealand has a wealth of
water-based activities. Whether its a swim at the
beach, a dip in the river, adrenaline-packed white-
water rafting, fshing from rocks, out on the boat or
anything else involving water, the best thing you can
do before heading out is to familiarise yourself with
the appropriate safety information.
As with most activities theres an element of risk, so
make sure you challenge yourself within your limits
and ask questions before heading out.
Always remember the four rules of the Water Safety
Code.
1. Be prepared
Learn to swim and survive, and set rules for safe play in
the water. Always use safe and correct equipment and
know the weather and water conditions before you get
in.
2. Watch out for yourself and others
Always pay close attention to children you are
supervising in or near water. Swim with others and in
areas where lifeguards are present.
3. Be aware of the dangers
Enter shallow and unknown water feet frst and obey
all safety signs and warning fags. Dont enter the water
after drinking alcohol.
4. Know your limits
Challenge yourself within your physical limits and
experience. Learn safe ways of rescuing others without
putting yourself in danger.
Boating
If youre heading out on a boat, remember the rules of
the Boating Safety Code.
1. Life jackets take them, wear them
Boats, especially ones of less that 6 metres in length,
can sink very quickly. Wearing a lifejacket increases
your survival time in the water.
2. Skipper responsibility
The skipper is responsible for the safety of everyone
on board and for the safe operation of the boat. Stay
within the limits of your vessel and your experience. Go
on a Coastguard Boating Education day skipper course
to make sure you have all the skills you need to stay
safe.
3. Communications
Take two separate waterproof ways of communicating
so you can call for help if you get into difculty.
4. Marine weather
New Zealands weather can be highly unpredictable.
Check the local marine weather forecast before you go
and expect both weather and sea changes.
5. Avoid alcohol
Safe boating and alcohol dont mix. Things can change
quickly on the water. You need to stay alert and aware.
For more information on the Water Safety Code and the
Boating Safety Code, visit www.adventuresmart.org.nz
Children
Under 5s
Water is a life-threatening hazard for young children
in and around the home. Make sure you keep you eyes
on your children when theyre in or around water
including in the bath.
Children learn by exploring their environment new
adventures are only a few steps away so dont let your
guard down around any body of water. It takes only 60
seconds for a child to drown.
For more information, see http://www.watersafety.org.
nz/education/recreation-advice/under-5s/
Learning to swim
While many people think everyone knows how to swim,
the scary thing is that a lot of kids today cant.
Make sure your kids have the opportunity to learn to
swim either at school, at a private swim school, or
even by teaching them yourself!
For more information, see
www.sealordswimforlife.org.nz
A simple fact: the best way to prevent injury and death from
house fres is to have smoke alarms installed and working properly.
Theres no dispute that working smoke alarms save
lives, and most houses in New Zealand now have them
installed. If you dont have them in your home, youre
putting your family at grave risk. Likewise if you have
smoke alarms but theyre not installed properly or
theyre not working, youre also putting your family at
risk.
House fres often happen when people are asleep and
unable to detect smoke, so working smoke alarms are
a vital part of your home safety plan. The New Zealand
Fire Service ofers the following useful advice on where
to install (and not to install) smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms
Smoke rises and moves along the ceiling. It will move
up stairwells and vertical openings, gradually building
up until the mass of smoke moves down again. This is
why you should place smoke alarms on the ceiling to
get the earliest warning. If you must put it on the wall,
keep it 10cm away from the ceiling to avoid dead air
pockets.
The best alarms are long-life photoelectric ones, which
should be installed ideally in every bedroom, living
area and hallway in the house on every level. At an
absolute minimum, a long-life photoelectric smoke
alarm should be installed in the hallway closest to the
bedrooms. This should be supplemented with other
alarms throughout the house as soon as circumstances
permit.
The Fire Service recommends both interconnected and
hard-wired alarms. Interconnected means that when
one smoke alarm detects a fre, all alarms throughout
the house will sound. Hard-wired means the alarms
are connected to mains power, making them more
reliable.
Dont install smoke alarms in the kitchen, garage or
bathroom unless the alarms are specially designed for
those areas. Also not above a fre box, in a basement
store room or near an extraction fan.
Too many homes are ftted with smoke alarms but are
unsafe because the alarm batteries are fat or missing.
To maximise your familys fre safety:
Check the battery once a month by pressing the test
button. If you cant reach the button easily, use a
broom handle.
Avoid the disturbance of a cheeping alarm that
indicates the batteries need replacing. Replace
batteries at least once a year and make it a habit
by picking a regular date such as a birthday or the
beginning or end of daylight saving time.
Buy long-life photoelectric smoke alarms. This will
give you about 10 years of smoke detection before
it needs replacing.
Install smoke alarms that feature a hush button to
stop nuisance alarms.
Keep smoke alarms clean.
Vacuum over and around smoke alarms regularly
to stop dust and debris interfering with the alarms
operation.
Your escape plan
Youll probably have one or two minutes from the
time a fre alarm sounds to when your life is seriously
threatened by fre or smoke. Having and practising
an escape plan so everyone in the household knows
what to do could save lives.
Work out the best way out of every room, then pick a
secondary route in case the frst is blocked by fre.
Keep all doorways clear of obstructions.
Choose a meeting place outside, for example the
letterbox.
Keep your cellphone handy so you can grab it as you
leave the house (dont go looking for it). Call 111
and ask for the Fire Service. If you dont have your
phone, call from a neighbours home or someone
elses mobile phone.
An ideal layout for smoke
alarms one for each bedroom, living area
and hallway. Diagram: NZ Fire Service
In the kitchen
The Fire Service says more house fres start in the
kitchen than anywhere else in the home. Cooking
thats left unattended accounts for more deaths than
any other cause of fre, and frying is the leading cause
of cooking fres. To keep the family safe:
Turn of the stove if you must leave the room, and
take pots and pans of the heat.
Put a timer on for any baking to remind you the oven
needs to be turned of.
Clean your stove grill after each use to prevent build-
up of fats and burnt foods.
Clean the rangehood flters regularly.
Keep curtains, tea towels, oven mitts, electrical cords
and other items well away from the cooking area.
Have a fre extinguisher and/or fre blanket handy
and know how to use them.
Never throw water on to a burning frypan. If its on
fre, wet a teatowel and place it over the pan, use
a proper ftting lid or a large fat object (such as a
chopping board) to starve the fre of oxygen.
Never try to carry a burning frypan outside.
Dont throw four on a burning frypan (an urban
myth) to extinguish the fre. Flour can burn, too.
If you do have a fre on your stove, try (if you can) to
turn the power or gas of either at the stove or at the
mains.
Dont drink and fry food. Alcohol is a factor in 50
percent of all fatal fres.
Living room
Half of all people who die in fres are careless with their
cigarettes, matches or lighters.
Put out all smoking materials before you leave a
room.
NEVER leave lit cigarettes unattended.
Keep matches and lighters out of childrens reach.
Screen open fres and fre boxes with a proper
freguard and NEVER leave open fres unattended.
Check the chimney regularly and have it swept every
year.
Dispose of ashes safely in a metal bucket. Ashes can
take up to fve days to cool so dampen them with
water or store the bucket well away from buildings
or anything fammable. Dont throw hot ashes into
rubbish bins.
Dont use fammable liquids to start an open fre.
Dont overload powerpoints or multiboards with
high wattage appliances such as heaters.
Dont hang clothes on the heater to dry them out.
Bedroom
Candles can look and
smell attractive, but
can also be a serious fre
hazard.
NEVER leave candles
unattended.
Ensure the candle is placed on a
freproof surface, such as a ceramic
plate.
Dont let children use candles, especially in
the bedroom.
Check that lamps have the correct bulb size and rating
(in watts), according to manufacturer specifcations.
Keep a torch near the bed.
Worn and old electric blankets can cause electric shock,
fre and even death.
Have your electric blanket tested annually by a
qualifed electrician.
Turn of the electric blanket power when you get
into bed.
Dont put heavy objects on the bed while the electric
blanket is turned on.
Ensure blanket controls are not twisted or caught
between the mattress and base.
Ensure the blanket is tightly secured and laid fat on
the bed.
When not in use, store your electric blanket rolled
up, not folded.
Electric blankets are not recommended for babies or
young children as bed-wetting can occur.
Outside
Barbecues are dangerous if you use them carelessly or
if youve been drinking alcohol.
Check and maintain barbecue fttings and
connection.
Keep the area around the BBQ clear.
Supervise children at all times around the
barbecue.
Remove all excess fat after each use.
Other areas:
Store fammable liquids and other products in
appropriate containers in the shed.
Keep the shed locked.
Ensure your shed has good ventilation.
Know where gas isolation valves are in your home.
Have all gas appliances serviced according to
manufacturer instructions.
Electrical
Overloading electrical circuits (including multi-board
power boxes), misusing electrical equipment, and
having faulty equipment are common causes of fre.
If youre worried about how well appliances are
working, such as electric blankets, heaters, air
conditioners or fans, have them checked by a
qualifed electrician.
Dont overload your multi-board with double
adaptors one appliance per multi-board or wall
socket.
Ensure that leads on appliances are in good condition
and not frayed.
Dont use extension cords as permanent
replacements for your homes internal wiring. Never
put them under carpets or mats or use them while
theyre tightly coiled.
Turn of and, where practical, unplug appliances
when theyre not being used.
Keep electrical appliances clear of water.
Get a licensed electrician or gas ftter to test newly
bought second-hand appliances.
Dont put fans, heaters, TVs and electrical
equipment where airfow is restricted they can get
overheated.
If you have an older home, you might have outdated
electrical wiring that can cause fres. Get it checked
by a registered electrician and if necessary, have your
home rewired.
Laundry
Static electricity and the build-up of heat can make
dust, lint and chemical residue on clothing catch fre.
Remove lint from the clothes dryer flter after each
use.
Ensure the dryer goes through the full cycle, including
cool down.
Turn of and unplug the dryer and washing machine
before leaving the house.
Regularly dust the grill at the back of the clothes
dryer to prevent dust build-up and overheating.
Ensure there is proper ventilation and air space
around the clothes dryer.
A word about sprinklers
Sprinklers might be an expensive option, but very
efective at putting out fres. If youre building a new
house, consider installing sprinklers. US statistics
indicate they reduce the likelihood of death by 83
percent and reduce property loss by 71 percent
(www.fresprinklerinitiative.org).
Nightly fre check
Do a fre check every night before you turn out the
lights. Check to see that:
Kitchen appliances are turned of and safe.
Heaters are turned of, and furniture and clothes are
at least a metre away from the freplace.
The ashtray been emptied into a metal bin outside.
The TV has been switched of using the power switch
on the set and not the remote control standby.
Any candles are out.
Kitchen and living room doors are closed to slow a
fre spreading to the bedrooms.
The house secure and keys are in the deadlocks.
Passageways are clear.
The recent Canterbury earthquakes have highlighted the fact that New Zealand could be
hit by a natural disaster at any time, taking lives and causing huge physical and economic
damage. We need to be prepared.
The threat of further earthquakes anywhere in the
country is very real, but storms, foods, volcanic
eruption, tsunamis, landslides and other events can
also seriously disrupt our lives. While this chapter
focuses on the threat of earthquakes, much of the
advice is relevant to other natural disasters (for more
information on these, see www.getthru.govt.nz).
Living with the risk of disaster means we have to be
prepared frstly to survive the initial efects; then
to be resilient enough to be on our own for a period
of time (at least three days) without the assistance of
emergency services, and without water, electricity and
sewerage systems; and fnally to recover as quickly as
possible. The following information is provided with
the assistance of the Ministry of Civil Defence and
Emergency Management, and includes the latest safety
strategies.
Earthquakes ofer no warning, so you could be at home,
school or work when one strikes. Think now about
where you can get to quickly to be safe. For example:
A strong table (perhaps your desk at work) provides
good protection. Grab the table legs to stop the table
from moving.
Next to an interior wall, away from windows that can
shatter and cause injury and tall furniture that can
fall on you. Protect your head and neck with your
arms. (Note that modern homes dont generally have
doorways that are any stronger than the wall, and
the doors can swing and injure you.)
Practise the Drop, Cover and Hold routine. Its
internationally recognised as the best strategy for
earthquake survival (beware of bogus email advice
such as the triangle of life that has been widely
discredited). In an earthquake, the routine means
moving no more than a few steps (away from
buildings, trees, street lights and power lines if
outside) and then:
Drop to the foor or ground. This will help to prevent
injury not only from fying glass and other objects,
but also from being knocked to the ground by the
quake.
Take COVER under a nearby table or desk. If nothing
is nearby or youre outside, COVER your face and
head with your arms.
HOLD on to something sturdy, such as the table legs,
until the shaking stops.
If youre in an elevator, drop, cover and hold. When
the shaking stops, try and get out at the nearest foor
if you can safely do so.
If youre at the beach or near the coast, drop, cover
and hold then move to higher ground immediately in
case a tsunami follows the quake.
If youre driving, pull over to a clear location, stop
and stay there with your seatbelt fastened. When the
shaking stops, drive on if you think its safe and avoid
bridges or ramps that might have been damaged.
After a quake
Listen to a local radio station emergency
management ofcials will broadcast advice thats
appropriate for your community and situation.
Expect to feel aftershocks.
Check yourself for injuries and get frst aid if
necessary. Help others if you can.
Electricity could be cut, and fre alarms and sprinkler
systems can go of in buildings during an earthquake
even if theres no fre. Check for small fre and put
them out if you can.
If youre in a damaged building, try to get outside
and fnd a safe, open place. Use the stairs, not the
elevators.
Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines,
and stay out of damaged areas.
Use the phone for short essential calls to keep the
lines clear for emergency calls.
If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise,
open a window, get everyone out quickly and turn
of the gas if you can. If you see sparks, broken wires
or electrical system damage, turn of the electricity
at the main fuse box if its safe to do so.
Control your animals because they can become
disorientated. They might need to be protected
from hazards, and they could annoy or attack other
people.
When its safe to do so, take notes and photographs
for insurance purposes if your property is damaged.
If you rent your property, contact your landlord
and your contents insurance company as soon as
possible.
Household emergency plan
Images of people queuing for water and digging toilets
in their back yard after the February 2011 Canterbury
earthquake show that life will not necessarily return
quickly to normal. In a serious earthquake, you might
not be able to leave your home or communicate with
other people, or you might have to leave your damaged
home.
Emergency services are unlikely to reach you
immediately. Thats why you need a plan that ensures
you and your family can survive for at least three
days on your own. So get your family or household
together and work on the plan. To help, the website
www.getthru.govt.nz has a template for a household
emergency plan you can use. Your local council will
also be able to help.
It pays to ask your council about the communitys civil
defence warning system, and where civil defence or
public shelters are. Its also useful to learn frst aid and
how to deal with small fres.
Other important stuf
Check your insurance policy for cover (home,
business and contents) and ensure your cover is
adequate. Know where your important documents
and keep them within easy reach if you have to
evacuate.
Seek qualifed advice to make sure your house is
secured to its foundations and ensure any renovations
comply with the New Zealand Building Code.
Alcohol is a drug that has a signifcant efect on the level of violence in New Zealand. Its a
major factor in family violence, street violence and sexual ofending, and contributes to road
crashes and property damage.
Its efects are wide-reaching and devastating for too
many families. More deaths and injuries involve alcohol
than any other drug.
Of all reported crime, the police say alcohol is a factor
in:
a third of all violence
a third of all family violence
half of all serious violence
half of all drugs and anti-social ofences
at least 1 in 5 cases of sexual ofending
1 in 4 trafc ofences
1 in 4 property ofences.
Its also a factor in 1 in 5 trafc crashes.
Alcohol-related issues use up at least 18 percent of the
total police budget.
Alcohol has been a part of socialising in New Zealand
since the early settlers arrived in the mid-1800s.
Nearly 200 years later, a culture of binge drinking has
emerged, especially with many young people.
Having a good time doesnt need to involve copious
amounts of alcohol. Binge drinking is not fun it
can cause severe drunkenness, vomiting, shakiness,
headaches and bad hangovers. Binge drinkers are at
risk of alcohol poisoning, which can lead to coma or
even death. Heavy or regular drinkers also risk long-
term damage to their liver, brain, lungs, heart, and
stomach, as well as an increased risk of cancer. They
also risk becoming dependent on alcohol.
If youre having trouble enjoying yourself without a
drink, you could have a problem.
The Health Promotion Agency (HPA) which has taken
over the functions of the old Alcohol Advisory Council
suggests that you should ask yourself:
Do I fnd it difcult to stop drinking once I start?
Does bad stuf often happen when I drink?
Have I ever come around in A&E?
Has drinking got me in trouble with the law?
Do I sufer monster hangovers?
Does drinking cause trouble with whnau/family?
Does drinking get in the way of work?
Do I seem to never have any money?
Do I want to change my drinking habits?
If you can answer yes to any of these questions you
probably have a problem. If you want to make some
changes, take a look at www.likeadrink.org.nz or call
the Alcohol Drug Helpline (0800 787 797).
The HPA suggests that if you would like to cut down:
Work out a personal limit per day, per week or per
occasion and stick to it.
Do more activities that dont involve drinking.
Ring the Alcohol Drug Helpline for free, confdential
advice and resources to help you cut down.
When youre out drinking:
Eat before you drink and while youre drinking.
Start with non-alcoholic drinks and alternate with
alcoholic drinks.
Try drinks with a lower alcohol content, but dont
make that an excuse for drinking more.
Drink slowly.
Dont allow others to top up your drink.
Count your drinks and stick to your limit.
Tell your friends that youre cutting down.
Dont drive.
Dont drink if:
Youre pregnant or thinking about becoming
pregnant.
Youre on medication or if you have a condition made
worse by drinking.
You feel unwell, depressed, tired or cold as alcohol
could make things worse.
Youre about to operate machinery or a vehicle or do
anything that is risky or requires skill.
Parents of teens
For children and young people under 18 years of age,
not drinking alcohol is the safest option. Young people
under the age of 15 are at the greatest risk of harm from
drinking alcohol and not drinking for them is especially
important. For those aged 15 to 17 years, the safest
option is to delay drinking for as long as possible.
If 15-17 year-olds do drink alcohol, they should be
supervised, drink infrequently and at moderate levels.
Be aware that teenagers are likely to at least try drinking
alcohol and might get drunk. Being a good role model
will help, and discussing alcohol rationally at a quiet
moment (not when theyre drunk) will help.
If you do fnd a teen rolling drunk and unconscious, call
111 for an ambulance.
If theyre vomiting all the time, dont leave them
alone. Lie them on their side in the recovery position,
monitor their breathing and heart rate and make sure
their mouth is empty. Keep them warm. If theres no
improvement, dial 111 for an ambulance.
Set ground rules for parties and stick to them.
If they take your alcohol, treat it just like any other
stealing in the family. Discuss what happened and
follow through with reasonable consequences.
If they become violent when drunk, dont put up with it.
If you cant control the situation, call someone who can
come quickly, like a friend or the police.
Signs of alcohol abuse
Signs that a teenager might be drinking excessively
include:
Repeated health complaints like vomiting.
Changes in sleep patterns.
Mood changes, especially irritability.
Starting arguments, withdrawing from the family or
breaking family rules.
Failing exams, missing assignments, frequent school
absences or discipline problems at school.
Changes in social activities and social groups or
friends.
Coming home drunk.
Smell of alcohol on their clothes, breath, skin, etc.
Missing sport, school, family events, etc.
Changes in behaviour not being where they say
they are going to be, etc.
These signs dont necessarily indicate a drink problem,
so consider discussing your concerns with your GP to
rule out other causes. If you need more help, ring the
Alcohol Drug Helpline.
How to get help
www.alcohol.org.nz useful information and tips on
alcohol, and a quiz to see if your drinking is OK
www.drugfoundation.org.nz New Zealand Drug
Foundation
0800 787 797 Alcohol Drug Helpline
Statistically New Zealand has some of the highest rates of drug use in the world
(2012 United Nations World Drug Report).
Cannabis use is particularly high, largely because we
have ideal growing conditions and it doesnt need to be
imported. The UN report showed between 9.1 and 14.6
percent of the population used cannabis, compared to
an estimated 2.6 to 5 percent worldwide.
Our relatively high use of drugs has created a
health issue that is being dealt with through police
enforcement and border security; legislation to make
it more difcult to get raw materials such as making
pseudoephedrine prescription only (which can be used
to make the drug methamphetamine); and education
through organisations such as the New Zealand Drug
Foundation and the police drug education in schools
(CHOICE) programme.
The statistics are not necessarily gloomy. There are
some positive signs, such as a reduction in the number
of young people using drugs. Recent publicity about
drug use in high-level sport also helps to portray drugs
as socially unacceptable.
Programmes such as CAYAD (Community Action Youth
and Drugs www.cayad.org.nz), and needle exchange
programmes are playing a positive role in reducing
drug use in our communities.
Helping our kids
As parents we can do much to infuence our childrens
behaviour. Are we good role models? If were using
illicit drugs around our kids, theyll believe its OK.
The conversation about drugs should start early. It
doesnt need to be a big deal, but one that acknowledges
they will be exposed to drug use at some point in their
life. Helping them to understand how they should handle
it, without making any judgements, is important.
Be aware that your kids might already be using drugs,
but dont assume its the case. Youll quickly lose your
childs confdence if you accuse them of something
illegal. If you have any suspicions, the Foundation for
Alcohol and Drug Education (www.fade.org.nz) says
that if your child exhibits several of the signs listed
below, then they might be using drugs:
Physical signs
Cannabis, in particular, can cause the eyes to become
reddened, watery and pufy. Dilated or pinpoint
pupils.
Cannabis and alcohol both have distinctive smells.
Cannabis smoke has a strong sweet smell thats very
diferent from tobacco smoke.
Slurred and slow speech.
Poor coordination staggering or stumbling.
Lack of pride in personal appearance and poor
hygiene.
Chronic coughing.
Changes in appetite.
Sudden change in weight.
Lack of energy and general lethargy.
Disturbed sleep patterns.
Occasional memory loss.
Behavioural signs
Decrease in sport or hobby involvement.
Mood swings and increasingly withdrawn from
family and some friends.
Unusual or suspicious requests for money.
Drop in school grades and homework not done.
Diferent friends appear on the scene combined with
a reluctance to introduce these friends.
Frequent unexplained phone calls.
More irritable.
Less afectionate.
Not worried about the consequences of their
actions.
Reluctance to do household chores.
Persistent lying, evasion or secretive behaviour.
Cash or valuable items going missing.
A complete change in appearance.
Late coming home at night and late getting ready for
school.
Sleeping in late.
Becomes argumentative or hostile when the negative
efects of drug use are discussed.
Blames other people for their behaviour, for example
parents, teachers and siblings.
Using incense or air fresheners in the bedroom.
What are drugs?
The Drug Foundation says a drug is a substance solid,
liquid or gas that changes the functions or structures
of the body in some way. It might change the way
someone acts or thinks. This obviously excludes food
and water, which are required to maintain normal body
functioning.
Almost everyone takes some kind drug, perhaps to
keep healthy or fght illness, but drugs can be harmful
if misused thats why laws restrict their manufacture,
distribution and use.
The drugs creating a health problem in New Zealand
are those that afect a persons central nervous system.
They act on the brain and can change the way a person
thinks, feels or behaves. These are called psychoactive
drugs.
The harm from these drugs to individuals and the
community are clear. Anyone using them can sufer
from poor health, have distorted family and social
interactions, psychological and emotional difculties,
legal and economic problems, and possibly death. The
Drug Foundation says its important to remember that
many people start and continue to use drugs to fnd
relief and escape from problems.
There are three main types of drugs, classifed by
their efects on the central nervous system. These are
depressants, hallucinogens and stimulants.
Depressants slow down the functions of the central
nervous system. They dont necessarily make you feel
depressed. Moderate amounts of depressants can make
you feel relaxed. Some depressants cause euphoria and
a sense of calm and well-being. They may be used to
wind down or to reduce anxiety, stress or inhibition.
Examples include alcohol, cannabis, benzodiazepines,
and opiates.
Hallucinogens change the way you perceive or
experience the world. You might see or hear things
that dont exist. They can afect your thinking, sense of
time and emotions. Efects can include panic, paranoia
and loss of contact with reality. In extreme cases, this
can result in dangerous behaviour, like walking into
trafc or jumping of a roof. Examples include LSD and
ecstasy.
Stimulants speed up or stimulate the central nervous
system and can make you feel more awake, alert and
confdent. They increase heart rate, body temperature
and blood pressure. They also reduce appetite, dilate
pupils, and lead to talkativeness, agitation and sleep
disturbance. Large quantities of stimulants can cause
anxiety, panic, seizures, headaches, stomach cramps,
aggression and paranoia. Examples include cocaine,
methamphetamine, speed, party pills and even
cafeine.
Common drugs
The Drug Foundation has plenty of useful information
about the most common illicit drugs and their efects
(see websites at the end of this section). These
include:
Cannabis
Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug in
New Zealand. The most recent drug use survey (Ministry
of Health 200708) found that 46.4 percent of people
aged 1664 have used cannabis in their lifetime.
Cannabis is illegal to grow, sell, distribute or possess.
The efects of cannabis use vary from person to person.
Generally, however, its short-term efects include users
feeling stoned or out of it. Although its a depressant,
using it doesnt mean youll get depressed just that it
has a mellowing efect. You can also feel happy, relaxed
or uninhibited, but some people feel anxious, self-
conscious or have paranoid thoughts.
Cannabis can impair short-term memory and attention
span, which makes it harder to complete tasks or
concentrate on doing several things at once. Young
people who use cannabis can have their concentration
and motivation afected, which can harm how well they
do at school.
Cannabis is addictive, despite some common
misperceptions. There is evidence that prolonged use
can increase the risk of developing cancer. Theres also
an increased risk of developing chronic bronchitis,
damage to the lungs and other respiratory problems.
People with mental health problems are particularly
sensitive to the efects of cannabis. It can exacerbate
conditions such as paranoia, depression and anxiety.
Chronic use can afect fertility in both men and
women.
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine (meth, or P) is a synthetic drug thats
a powerful stimulant. It can be a powder, a crystal-
like-rock, or a pill. Its efects can vary from person to
person and depend on the strength of the product.
Using methamphetamine produces wakefulness,
hyperactivity and often euphoria.
Using it doesnt necessarily make you violent, though
it can cause erratic behaviour or agitation. All kinds
of people use it its not confned to any group of
society.
Methamphetamine poses great health risks. Heavy users
lose the ability to look after themselves, neglecting
sleep, eating, washing and exercise. In extreme cases,
lack of sleep and food can induce a drug psychosis.
Long-term use can cause anxiety and depression,
damage to the nervous system and susceptibility to
infection and disease.
Other drugs
Ecstasy is the street name for the stimulant methylen
edioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Its usually sold in
pill form and is often cut with other substances such as
methamphetamine, cafeine and BZP. Its often referred
as the love drug because it can induce empathy,
euphoria, and a closeness and openness to others.
Ecstasy is addictive and risks include over-heating,
dehydration and water intoxication. Another risk is not
knowing whats in the pill. Ecstasy is often cut with
other drugs.
Benzodiazepines are prescription medicines that are
usually prescribed as a sedative or to relieve anxiety.
Theyre a depressant, which means they help slow
the bodys system down and have sleep inducing
properties. Used as prescribed, they will make you feel
drowsy, relaxed and relieved of tension and anxiety.
However, because theyre very addictive, theyre
usually intended to be used only short-term.
GHB comes in two forms a clear odourless liquid,
or a white powder thats usually made into tablets
or capsules. Its most commonly used in liquid form,
which is sometimes mixed with alcohol. GHB is a strong
sedative and is often used as an alcohol replacement.
GHB is highly addictive. You can become physically and
psychologically addicted if its used regularly. The risk
of overdose is high because it can be difcult to judge
the potency.
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a hallucinogenic
drug. In its pure form, its colourless, odourless and
mildly bitter. LSD is diluted from its crystalline form,
and paper is sometimes soaked in the liquid to produce
tabs of acid. LSD will distort a users reality. Their
senses and emotions will be heightened and a trip
can last up to 12 hours. Because its difcult to tell
the potency of a dose, the efects can be variable and
unpredictable. A bad trip can cause the user to feel like
they have things crawling on their skin, lose control
of their emotions or feel like they have lost their grip
on reality. People who have existing mental health
issues can also be at risk from LSD use because it can
exacerbate symptoms of their illness or trigger LSD
psychosis. Although LSD is not thought to be addictive,
a person can become psychologically dependent,
relying on using it in certain situations.
Opiates are a group of drugs known as downers
derived from the sticky resin of the opium poppy
seedpod. They include opium, heroin, morphine,
methadone, codeine and pethidine. Fortunately, heroin
use is relatively low in New Zealand.
Synthetic cannabinoids these create similar efects
to that of cannabis (getting high). These chemicals are
added to a mixture of dried plant matter and sold as a
legal alternative to cannabis. Police and hospitals are
reporting that violent and psychotic teenagers high on
these substances are flling up police cells and hospital
emergency departments. Recent publicity about the
negative health efects of synthetic cannabis has led
to the banning in New Zealand of several ingredients
used in its manufacture.
How to get help
For information and contacts:
www.drugfoundation.org.nz and
www.drughelp.org.nz NZ Drug Foundation
www.fade.org.nz Foundation for
Alcohol and Drug Education
www.druginfo.org.nz Alcohol & Drug
Helpline, 0800 787-797
www.cayad.org.nz Community Action
Youth and Drugs
www.methhelp.org.nz for help with
methamphetamine problems
www.odyssey.org.nz Odyssey House, 09 631-0624
Most of us, with any luck, will grow old. Advances in medical science and valuable information
on nutrition and lifestyle make it more likely that life expectancy will continue to rise.
The proportion of older people in the population is
going to grow for some time yet and many over the
current retirement age of 65 are in the paid workforce
(22 percent of men and 11 percent of women aged over
65 Statistics New Zealand Household Labour Force
Survey: December 2009 Quarter).
There are many positive aspects to having lots of older
people around. They are able to share their wisdom,
they make up a sizeable block of consumers paying
for goods and services, and if retired they have time
to volunteer and assist businesses with their time and
expertise.
Older people are valuable members of society. They
deserve our respect, our care and our attention.
Unfortunately, some people take advantage of the
vulnerability and frailty that age often brings. If youre
an older person, youre entitled to the same rights as
anyone else. If you feel youre not being treated right,
or if youre concerned about how an older person is
being treated, you can get help (see How to get help at
the end of this section).
If things go wrong
Sometimes, things dont work as they should. Abuse
can happen to older people, and the likelihood is that
its going to be at home and at the hands of family
members or friends. Sadly, Age Concern says it
uncovers at least two new cases of abuse or neglect of
older people every day in New Zealand, and its just the
tip of the iceberg.
Abuse and neglect of older people is internationally
defned as: a single or repeated act, or lack of
appropriate action, occurring within any relationship
where there is an expectation of trust, which causes
harm or distress to an older person. It can be of various
forms: physical, psychological/emotional, sexual,
or fnancial/material abuse, and/or intentional or
unintentional neglect.
Psychological
Behaviour causing mental anguish, stress or fear. For
example:
Ridicule or threats.
Harassment or humiliation.
Preventing choice or decision-making.
Withholding afection.
Financial
Illegal or improper use of money, property or other
resources. For example:
Unauthorised taking of money or possessions.
Misuse of power of attorney.
Failing to repay loans.
Use of home and/or utilities without contributing to
costs.
Physical
Infiction of pain, injury or use of force. For example:
Hitting, pushing, rough handling.
Over-medication.
Inappropriate use of restraints or confnement.
Sexual
Non-consensual sexual acts or exploitive behaviours.
For example:
Inappropriate touching.
Sexual acts with someone unable to give consent.
Neglect
Not providing for physical, emotional or social needs.
For example:
Inadequate food, clothing or shelter
Lack of social contact and support
Health needs not attended to.
The signs
Signs that abuse or neglect is occurring may include:
Fear of a particular person or people.
Anxiety for no obvious reason.
Irritability and being overly emotional.
Presenting as helpless, hopeless and sad.
Using contradictory statements not resulting from
mental confusion.
Reluctance to talk openly. For example, waiting for
the carer to answer.
Avoidance of the usual amount of physical, eye or
verbal contact this person uses.
Not having enough money for necessities or to pay
bills.
Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts.
Possessions disappearing.
What to do
Its not always easy to tell if elder abuse or neglect is
actually occurring. Victims are often reluctant or even
unable to talk about it. However, if youre concerned
about an older person, do something! As always in an
emergency, call 111. Get in touch with a help agency
such as Age Concern (see at the end of this section). If
youre in close contact with the older person:
Make sure theyre safe.
Ofer reassurance that youre there to help.
Ask them if theyre happy for you to talk to an agency
that can help.
You could ask them if theyre scared of anyone, whether
theyve been mistreated and how, and if they feel safe
in their environment or in their relationship with family
members.
If their answers raise concerns:
Listen and make your responses calm and matter-
of-fact. Dont make any judgements about either the
older person or the abuser.
Believe them and show them theyre not alone they
have your support.
Tell them what you would like to do to help, but ofer
choices so they feel in control. Let them decide when
something should happen.
Being a guarantor
In recent years many older people have lost their life
savings in fnancial institution collapses and fraudulent
schemes. Theyre not alone in sufering the devastating
efects, though because of their age theyre less likely
to rebuild their savings.
Some older people have lost their savings helping out
a family member or friend by ofering to be a guarantor.
If youre considering being a guarantor for a child or
grandchild, for example, Neighbourhood Support
suggests a good rule of thumb: act as guarantor
only if you can write a cheque for the amount you
are guaranteeing at the time you are asked to act as
guarantor.
Because if things do go wrong in a mortgage, loan or
hire purchase, you will be liable to repay if the person
youre guaranteeing for cant or wont repay their
debt.
Similarly, older people are sometimes asked to be
guarantor for telephone or electricity accounts or asked
to have a connection for another family member put
under their name. If the person you are guaranteeing
defaults on the payments, you will have to pay even if
you cant aford to.
Neighbourhood Support suggests you ask yourself:
Why are you being asked to be a guarantor?
Are you being coerced or emotionally blackmailed?
For example, do you feel obliged to help out family,
even if you know theres a high risk they cant/wont
pay?
Why is a guarantor required is there a bad credit
history?
Is the borrower realistic about the repayments
can they aford them even if things go wrong? For
example, what happens if they lose their job?
How mature and responsible is the borrower?
Is the loan for a need or a want? Remember, you
often went without until you could pay cash.
Is the loan for a new business? Many new businesses
dont succeed.
Is the loan for an existing business? If the business
is viable, there should be enough capital in the
business to get a loan without a guarantor.
Can you aford to pay any default on the part of the
borrower?
Acting as guarantor means:
If its for a phone or power connection, youll have to
pay any large toll or service accounts that the person
you are acting for cant/wont pay.
If its for a bank loan, its common that the amount
guaranteed is unlimited and includes future
borrowings (for example, extra interest on an
overdraft). If the borrower defaults, the bank can
demand repayment from the guarantor and does not
have to exhaust other remedies frst.
As well as having to pay the amount borrowed, you
will also be responsible for debt recovery costs.
Anything you list as a security can be taken and sold
to pay the debt. This could even include your home
if you use it as security.
If youre seriously considering being a guarantor, get
legal advice. Similarly if you fnd yourself in a bind after
signing an unwise guarantee, get advice immediately
as some legal remedies might be available. Your local
Community Law ofce will be able to advise.
Enduring power of attorney
You might have heard about an enduring power of
attorney, but what is it? Having an enduring power of
attorney means greater peace of mind for you, as an
older person.
You can choose someone you trust to act on your behalf
and in your best interests if you lose the ability to
manage your own afairs. It also means a lot less stress
for your family and friends because they know youve
made arrangements.
There are two types of enduring power of attorney:
A Personal Care and Welfare enduring power of
attorney.
A Property enduring power of attorney.
Most people set up both types.
Under a Personal Care and Welfare enduring power
of attorney you choose one person to make decisions
about your personal care and welfare on your behalf if
you become mentally incapable.
Under a Property enduring power of attorney you can
appoint one or more attorneys to make decisions about
your property afairs. You can, if you wish, give your
property attorney authority to manage your property
afairs while you still have capacity.
Its important to choose your attorney wisely. For your
Personal Care and Welfare Attorney you will want
to select someone who knows your personal likes
and dislikes well. Having them live nearby is helpful,
because theyll be required to encourage you to act
on your own behalf, and to stay connected to the
community, as much as possible.
For your Property Attorney, you should choose
someone who can handle your money matters easily
and responsibly. Youll need to talk to the people you
wish to be your attorney(s) frst.
Theres some good information on the Ministry of Social
Developments website www.msd.govt.nz/what-we-
can-do/seniorcitizens/your-rights/enduring-power-of-
attorney.html Keep visiting this site as legislation is
under review.
How to get help
If youre an older person sufering abuse or someone
who witnesses abuse, call the police on 111 if its urgent.
If you want information or you suspect its happening,
call Age Concern or the Are you OK family violence
information line (see below) or talk to someone you
can trust. Age Concern has 24 elder abuse and neglect
prevention services throughout New Zealand providing
confdential and free information and support.
Community Law and the Ministry of Justice have useful
information about the power of attorney.
www.ageconcern.org.nz Age Concern
www.osc.govt.nz Ofce for Senior Citizens
www.communitylaw.org.nz Community Law
Centres o Aotearoa
www.areyouok.org.nz Family Violence
Information Line, freephone 0800 456 450
www.justice.govt.nz Ministry of Justice
www.msd.govt.nz Ministry of Social Development
Violence in families is not OK, and it should never be ignored because
its just a domestic. Statistics show family violence accounts for more
than half of all violent crime reported in New Zealand.
The numbers dont make good reading. They refect a
sad situation for too many New Zealand families.
Family violence afects everyone. Even if theyre not
being physically abused, children are often victims, not
only because of what they witness, but also because
they have to endure the consequences of dysfunctional
and destroyed relationships.
The Police and courts take family violence seriously.
Police will act when they suspect or uncover incidences
of family violence. New powers (see under Police
Safety Orders) allow them to remove an ofender, or
even a suspected ofender, to remove the immediate
risk and to give everyone an opportunity to assess their
situation.
When they attend an incident, they also use an
internationally recognised scoring tool to assess
partner risk. They also have a Child Risk Factor Tool,
which helps them predict the risks for children.
However, international research indicates only about
20 percent of family violence incidents are actually
reported. So a lot is happening in our community that
the Police dont know about. Whether were a victim,
neighbour, part of the extended family, teacher, carer
or just a member of the community, we can help make
it stop.
Reporting family violence
In a recent analysis of family violence statistics, for 21
percent of childrens cases and 35 percent of womens
cases, family and friends were aware of the violence
but did not report it. In 64 percent of all cases the
family had prior contact with the police.
The Police make every efort to protect people from
family violence, but they need to know its happening.
So why isnt it reported?
In many cases, the victim is too scared to speak out,
fearing more violence. But in most cases, someone
else knows its happening and does nothing to stop it
because they dont want to get involved or they dont
want to be seen to be interfering.
The attitude that its matter that should stay in the
family no longer washes. Recent high-profle cases
have shown that children and adults have died
because no-one reported the violence.
Stick up for the victims, and report any instance of
family violence to the Police. They are skilled at dealing
with these situations, and will take appropriate action
to protect victims.
If you or anyone in your household is being abused
or in any danger, dont hesitate to call 111. Police will
respond quickly to help.
Police Safety Orders
Since June 2010, the Police have gained powers that
have had a positive efect on dealing with family
violence. A new Police Safety Order (PSO) gives Police
the ability to make someone leave the premises for up
to fve days (usually one or two days) if the Police have
reasonable grounds to believe that family violence has
or may occur. They dont need consent from the person
at risk to issue the order.
Public Safety Orders allow police to remove a person
from a property where there is sufcient reason to
believe a failure to do so may result in a serious incident,
but not yet enough evidence to make an arrest.
It protects members of the household who are at risk by
imposing conditions on the threatening person similar
to those in Protection Orders. These conditions apply
for the duration of the PSO. For example, this person:
Must not assault, threaten, intimidate or harass the
protected person (the person at risk) or encourage
anyone else to do the same.
Must not follow, stop or contact in any way the
person at risk in any place, either at home, at work,
or anywhere else the person at risk visits often.
Must surrender all frearms and their frearms licence
to the Police for the period of the PSO.
The PSO also protects any children living with the
person at risk, and any conditions of parenting orders
or agreements giving access or care by the threatening
person are suspended. The Police can detain this person
for up to two hours to issue and serve the PSO. There is
no right of appeal.
If conditions are breached, the Police can take the
person into custody and put them before the court.
The court might:
release them
direct the Police to issue another PSO
issue a Temporary Protection Order (if the person at
risk does not object).
It gives everyone an opportunity to calm down and
meet with Police and other agencies to talk about
improving their situation and could save a persons
life. No criminal convictions result from the issue of a
Police Safety Order.
Protection Orders
If you need to be protected from an abusive member
of your household and youre not in immediate danger,
talk in confdence to someone who can help you apply
for a Protection Order. Some of these organisations are
listed at the end of this section, or look at the front of
the White Pages phone book under Emergency Services
or Personal Help Services.
Some organisations can help by:
arranging to pick you up if you dont have money or
a car
arranging emergency accommodation if you need to
get out of your home
providing welfare or support services
discussing what legal, housing and fnancial
assistance you can get
helping you understand the legal process
arranging an appointment with a lawyer.
A lawyer will help you prepare your application to the
Family Court, take down your statement and apply for
free Legal Aid if necessary.
Children can also apply for a Protection Order with the
help of an adult.
Family violence defned
As the ongoing advertising says: Its not OK. Your
partner or any member of your family should never use
violence to hurt or control you.
Violence can be physical, sexual, psychological or
fnancial and can include neglect. The Ministry of Social
Developments Family and Community Services, on
its website www.areyouok.org.nz defnes the various
forms of family violence as follows.
Psychological violence to adults or children, which can
have long-lasting efects, includes:
making you feel like everything you do is wrong
constantly criticising you or your friends
humiliating you in front of your friends
using unsafe driving to frighten you
damaging property/walls/possessions to scare you
making you isolated and alone
blaming everything on you
threatening to take the children away or hurt them
stalking, following, checking up on you
harming pets to punish you
making you feel scared of what might happen next.
Sexual abuse includes:
forcing you to have sex or do other sexual acts you
dont want to do
touching you in a way you dont want
frequently accusing you of sleeping with other
people
forcing you to watch porn.
Physical abuse includes:
hitting and punching
biting, pushing, choking or pulling your hair
making you drink or take drugs when you dont want
to
using or threatening to use weapons.
Financial abuse includes:
taking your money or property
running up debts in your name
misusing power of attorney
pressuring you into paying money.
Neglect includes:
not providing food, clothing and warmth
leaving dependants alone or with someone who is
unsafe
not providing comfort, attention and love
not providing medical treatment.
If you feel any of these apply to you, contact any of the
agencies listed at the end of this section.
The facts
Its worth noting that the facts about family violence
are often distorted. In a guide for journalists, www.
areyouok.org.nz provides some interesting insights,
which include the following myth-busters.
Its an unpredictable private tragedy
Not true. The victim will almost always have sufered
violence for a long time. Family violence is almost
always a series of tactics used to gain and keep control.
Its a pattern of behaviours that increases in frequency
and severity over time. Murder is the extreme result,
and we know most murders happen following the
most dangerous time for a victim after a separation.
Domestic deaths are planned. The killer has commonly
obtained a weapon, made threats to kill previously,
knows where the victim is and when to strike.
Caused by substance abuse, stress, poverty
and failed marriage
Not true. Many people who experience these do not
hit, stalk or murder their partners or children. Its true
that substance abuse can make the violence worse,
but its not the reason for it. People use violence in the
domestic setting because they believe they are entitled
to use violence to get what they want.
The victims to blame
Implying the victim is to blame by using phrases such
as why did they stay, they had relationship issues,
she had a habit of getting involved with men like that,
imply the victim is to blame or asked for it. People
choose to use violence to control and dominate other
family members. Victims are not to blame because
they stay. They are often afraid of leaving because of
isolation, lack of funds and housing, and fear of the
perpetrator.
Violence and love go together
Its not normal behaviour to bash or murder someone
if you love them. Jealous, threatening and intimidating
behaviour is not love.
The abuser is a lovely person
It is not unusual for media reports to say that the
murderer/abuser was a model employee, a good
neighbour or pillar of the community. Abusers show a
diferent face to the world. Can someone still be nice
if they murder their partner or child?
How to get help
In an emergency, dont hesitate to call 111 any
time and ask for the Police. See their website
www.police.govt.nz for useful information about
family violence.
Other agencies that can help are listed at the front of
the White Pages phone book under Emergency Services
or Personal Help Services.
Some useful contacts:
www.areyouok.org.nz full of information for families
experiencing violence.
www.familyservices.govt.nz Family and Community
Services, includes a directory of social services in your
community.
www.justice.govt.nz Ministry of Justice, with useful
information about Protection Orders.
www.nnsvs.org.nz National Network of Stopping
Violence Services, with a directory of services near
you.
www.womensrefuge.org.nz Womens Refuge.
www.ageconcern.org.nz Age Concern
www.cab.org.nz Citizens Advice Bureau
www.2shine.org.nz Shine (Safer Homes in NZ), crisis
assistance and support for adult and child victims of
family violence. 0508 744 633 for a 24-hour toll-free
helpline (09 815-4601 in Auckland).
www.victimsupport.org.nz Victim Support, 0800 842
846 for a 24-hour toll-free helpline.
www.rapecrisis.org.nz Rape Crisis
www.courts.govt.nz/family Family Court
Maori Womens Welfare League see the Yellow Pages
phone book.
You might also consider talking to someone in your
church group, your doctor or your lawyer.
Disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, foods and storms can strike at
any time, sometimes without warning. All disasters have the potential to cause disruption,
damage property and take lives.
Get ready now to protect yourself, your family, home,
business and community.
Household emergency plan
Plan to look after yourself and your loved ones for at
least three days or more.
Many disasters will afect essential services and
possibly disrupt your ability to travel or communicate
with each other. You may be confned to your home,
or forced to evacuate your neighbourhood. In the
immediate aftermath of a disaster, emergency services
will not be able to get help to everyone as quickly as
needed.
This is when you are likely to be most vulnerable. So
it is important to plan to look after yourself and your
loved ones for at least three days or more in the event
of a disaster.
Get your family or household together and agree on
a plan. An emergency plan helps take away some of
the fears about potential disasters, and can help you
respond safely and quickly when a disaster happens.
Make a start on your plan today. Get a copy of a
household emergency plan and checklist from
your local council, or download a copy from
www.getthru.govt.nz. The plan and checklists are
available in English, Samoan, Tongan, Chinese, Korean,
Arabic and Hindi.
A household emergency plan will help you work out:
what you will each do in the event of disasters such
as an earthquake, tsunami, volcanic eruption, food
or storm
how and where you will meet up during and after a
disaster
where to store emergency survival items and who
will be responsible for maintaining supplies
what you will each need to have in your getaway kits
and where to keep them
what you need to do for members of the household,
family or community with a disability or special
requirement
what you will need to do for your pets, domestic
animals or livestock
how and when to turn of the water, electricity and
gas at the main switches in your home or business.
Turn of gas only if you suspect a leak, or if you are
instructed to do so by authorities. If you turn the gas
of, you will need a professional to turn it back on
and it may take several weeks to respond after an
event.
what local radio stations to tune in to for civil defence
information during an event
how to contact your local councils civil defence
emergency management ofce for assistance during
an emergency. If life or property is threatened,
always phone 111.
Ask civil defence emergency management staf at your
local council about your communitys civil defence
warning system, and the location of civil defence or
public shelters. It is also useful to learn frst aid and
how to deal with small fres.
Talking to children about disasters
Parents and caregivers should consider talking to
children about the disasters that could happen in your
community and what to do to keep safe. This can help
to reduce fear and anxiety and helps everyone know
how to respond.
Insurance
Make sure your insurance cover is adequate and up
to date and that important documents can easily be
gathered if you have to evacuate.
For further information go to www.getthru.govt.nz.
In most emergencies you should be able to stay in your home. Plan to be able to look after
yourself and your household for at least three days or more.
Assemble and maintain your emergency survival items
for your home as well as a portable getaway kit in case
you have to leave in a hurry. You should also have
essential emergency items in your workplace and in
your car.
Emergency survival items
torch with spare batteries or a self charging torch
radio with spare batteries
wind and waterproof clothing, sun hats, and strong
outdoor shoes
frst aid kit and essential medicines
blankets or sleeping bags
pet supplies
toilet paper and large rubbish bags for your
emergency toilet
face and dust masks.
Check all batteries every three months. Battery
powered lighting is the safest and easiest. Do not use
candles as they can tip over in earthquake aftershocks
or in a gust of wind. Do not use kerosene lamps, which
require a great deal of ventilation and are not designed
for indoor use.
Food and water for at least three days
non-perishable food (canned or dried food)
food, formula and drinks for babies and small
children
water at least three litres per person per day for
drinking
water for washing and cooking
a primus or gas barbeque to cook on
a can opener.
Check and replace food & water every twelve months.
Consider stocking a two-week supply of food & water
for prolonged emergencies such as a pandemic.
Getaway kits
In some emergencies you may need to evacuate in a
hurry. Everyone should have a packed getaway kit in
an easily accessible place at home and at work which
includes:
torch and radio with spare batteries
any special needs such as hearing aids and spare
batteries, glasses or mobility aids
emergency water and easy-to-carry food rations
such as energy bars and dried foods in case there
are delays in reaching a welfare centre or a place
where you might fnd support. If you have any
special dietary requirements, ensure you have extra
supplies
frst aid kit and essential medicines
essential items for infants or young children such as
formula and food, nappies and a favourite toy
change of clothes (wind/waterproof clothing and
strong outdoor shoes)
toiletries towel, soap, toothbrush, sanitary items,
toilet paper
blankets or sleeping bags
face and dust masks
pet supplies
include important documents in your kit:
identifcation (birth and marriage certifcates,
drivers licences and passports), fnancial documents
(e.g. insurance policies and mortgage information)
and precious family photos.
First aid
If someone you care for is injured in a disaster, your
knowledge of frst aid will be invaluable. Many
organisations provide frst aid training courses.
Consider taking a frst aid course, followed by regular
refresher sessions.
You can buy ready-made frst aid kits or make up your
own.
For further information go to www.getthru.govt.nz.
New Zealanders are well served by an array of people and agencies willing to help those in
need.
These groups can usually be found in the Personal
Help Services section at the front of your phone book,
through doctors and other health professionals, church
social services, word-of-mouth social contacts, and
agencies such as your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
The following details some of the more prominent
ones.
Womens Refuge www.womensrefuge.org.nz
New Zealand has refuges throughout the country
providing safe houses for thousands of women and
their children annually.
Most refuges can be found listed in the phone book,
or may be contacted through the Police or a citizens
advice bureau. Nearly all have a crisis phone line. Many
refuges exist solely for Maori women; others are for
Pacifc Island or Asian women.
Refuges provide a warm and safe place for women and
children in need so they can start their lives over again.
Some women stay for a night, others for several months
while they decide what to do.
They also provide a listening ear and advice if you
need to talk to someone, and can help if you wish to
stay in your home or your relationship. Every refuge
provides 24-hours-a-day support, information and
safe accommodation. Most have a 24-hour telephone
counseling service.
Womens refuges put women in touch with lawyers,
doctors, counsellors and other appropriate community
groups working in family violence. For women dealing
with the Police and courts, support and advocacy
is ofered. Help with fnding alternative housing is
provided for women and children unable to return to
their home.
Victim Support www.victimsupport.org.nz
Victim Support is an organisation that ofers immediate
help for people afected by crime, including family
violence. There are more than 1600 trained victim
support volunteers in 77 local groups, often located
in Police stations throughout the country. They ofer
practical advice and emotional support 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. Victim Support will make sure
victims get support and access to other agencies such
as a womens refuge. They are often the link between
Police and the helping agencies.
Citizens Advice Bureaux www.cab.org.nz
The Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux is an
independent community organisation whose member
bureaux and specialist services around New Zealand
provide information, advice, advocacy and support to
individuals. Services are free, impartial and confdential.
Bureaux have a comprehensive and regularly updated
referral database and information resources to help
volunteers provide the best advice.
The bureaux;
give referrals and contacts for local help agencies;
provide information and help in getting protection
orders;
provide information about emergency
accommodation;
give confdential support to talk things over and look
at various options;
fnd free legal advice, or refer to a local lawyer;
provide other information, such as welfare benefts,
housing, budgeting.
Relationship Services www.relate.org.nz
Relationship Services works with people to change
their relationship for the better through counseling.
It works on the premise that only you can make the
necessary changes and only if you have a will to make
the change.
Relationship Services will:
Make the safety of you and your children the
priority.
See you alone so you can work out what you want to
do.
Help you to understand how violence is used to
maintain power and control.
Respect your feelings and help you build up your
self-confdence.
Help you separate from your partner, if thats what
you want. You decide whether you will do this in
separate or joint counseling sessions.
Help you to deal with the hassles and pain of
separation and talk about how that is afecting your
children.
Help you and your partner work at reconciliation if
thats what you decide.
How to obtain more free copies...
To obtain more copies of this Family Violence publication or any of the Police Managers Guild Trusts resource
journals simply download a copy free from the internet from: www.pmgt.org.nz
Plunket www.plunket.org.nz
Plunket is New Zealands largest supplier of support
services for the development, health and well-being
for children under the age of fve.
Plunket is a national not-for-proft organisation
providing a caring, professional well child and family/
whnau service. We are committed to providing
universal access to services for all children and families
regardless of ethnicity, location or ability to pay. This is
at the heart of who Plunket is and is essential to provide
a positive environment for parents.
Plunket has over 1000 staf, including 650 clinical staf,
and over 8000 volunteers working in more than 400
branches around the country. Plunket nurses see over
90% of New Zealands newborn babies each year and
provide vital practical support through initiatives like
car seat rental schemes, parenting education courses,
toy libraries, family centres and PlunketLine, a free 24
hour advice service - 0800 933 922.
Other helpers
(look in the phone book, contact your local Citizens
Advice Bureau, or look on the Internet):
Rape Crisis (www.rapecrisis.org.nz)
Womens support groups and womens centres
National Network of Stopping Violence Services
(www.angermanagement.org.nz)
Mens groups
Lifeline (www.lifeline.org.nz)
Samaritans (www.samaritans.org.nz)
Parentline (www.parentline.org.nz)
Youthline (0800 37 66 33 www.youthline.co.nz)
Church social services agencies
Iwi social services
Help with efective parenting
SKIP (Strategies with Kids, Information for Parents)
pamphlets and other resources on child care and
management (www.familyservices.govt.nz)
National Online Directory for information on
parent education resources and programmes
(www.familyservices.govt.nz/directory)
Choose to Hug booklet produced by EPOCH
(www.epochnz.org.nz) and the Ofce of the
Childrens Commissioner (www.occ.org.nz)
Children are Unbeatable: 7 Very Good Reasons Not
to hit Children booklet available from the Families
Commission (www.nzfamilies.org.nz), Ofce of the
Childrens Commissioner and Unicef (www.unicef.
org.nz)

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