Wellingtonians set to be Safer in their Homes

The Environmental Protection Authority and Wellington City Council have collaborated with key government and not for profit agencies to hold the inaugural Safer Homes Event on 26 and 27 May, Michael Fowler Centre.

Activities at the event will explore and highlight themes from safety around hazardous substances, earthquake preparedness, fire safety, community safety, looking after pets, safer homes for under 5s, and how to have a healthy home.

“The Environmental Protection Authority has a mandate to protect both the environment and New Zealanders from harm in relation to hazardous substances,” says Dr Allan Freeth, Chief Executive, EPA. “We want to actively educate New Zealanders about how to best store and use chemicals in their homes inside and outside, and we saw an opportunity to develop this public event and also invite other agencies communicating home safety messages to participate as well.”

There will be a wide range of interesting and interactive displays including NZ Fire Service doing fire simulations, to puppies from SPCA and discussions on pet safety to CPR demonstration from Wellington Free Ambulance. Key messages on hazardous substances provided by EPA, as well as information on emergency preparedness from Wellington City Council and EQC.

On Friday the Safer Homes event team will present to primary school children and secondary students, as well as tertiary students studying Early Childhood Care. A session for seniors and their carers will address the dangers in the home, and how they can mitigated.

“This event is significant because its themes reflect some of the highest priorities for Wellington, says Mayor Justin Lester “Resilience, safety and the health of the community underpin the way we approach decisions about the city’s future. Having the agencies responsible for policy, decisions and first response in the same room means we will be able to form a complete picture of what is required and plan more effectively for the future.”

The event is open to the public both days with presentations from the various participating agencies being made across the different safety themes throughout Saturday.

Partner organisations include NZ Fire Service, ACC, EQC, Housing New Zealand, Plunket, Safe Kids, MBIE, NZ Police, Regional Public Health, National Poisons Centre, Consumer, Wellington Free Ambulance and the SPCA.

For schools who wish to attend contact Helen Flannery (Helen.Flannery@epa.govt.nz)

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