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Look after yourselves and each other
14 November 2016
Through the earthquakes and aftershocks,
look after yourselves and each other
Now is the time to look after each other as the Hanmer earthquakes affect different people in different ways.
Public Health Specialist Dr Lucy D’Aeth, Chair of the Greater Christchurch Psychosocial Committee says particularly in the North Canterbury areas around Hanmer, Kaikoura and Waiau there are people cut off in towns with broken homes, without power and water.
“For the most affected communities, the priorities are the most basic things – sharing clean water, food, and checking in on neighbours. There will be those who need support to dig a long-drop/outside toilet, or tidy up damaged properties.
“Helping others and giving your time can make a big difference, whether it’s helping someone with a big clean up job or spending time talking to people about how they are doing,” says Dr D’Aeth.
It’s normal to feel a range of emotions, so expect those around you to be coping differently, she says.
“Our brains react chemically to earthquakes – releasing adrenaline which can cause us to feel shaky, queasy or on-edge and make it hard for us to concentrate. This response is our body’s alarm system – it is your body telling you to be alert and ready for action.
“These emotions should calm – but they can take longer to do so if the aftershocks continue for some time.”
There are things you can do to help you feel better. Although it is difficult, try and keep your routine as normal as you can – especially when around children who will take their lead from you.
As part of the response to these earthquakes, additional
staff have been rostered on to the Canterbury Support Line
following last night’s 7.5 quake.
The free phone line
(0800 777 846) is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and
can arrange appropriate support for people affected by the
earthquake.
| Public Health Information for Hurunui and Kaikoura residents: |
| Your council will be advising
whether you need to boil or treat water from taps and
tankers before drinking, brushing teeth or using in food
preparation. Bringing water to the boil is sufficient to
kill bugs. Water needs to be boiled even if the smell or
taste of chlorine is present. If you cannot boil water,
treat it by adding 1 teaspoon of household bleach per 10
litres of water and leave for 30 minutes (i.e just under 1/4
tsp of bleach for a two litre container) Waterways may be contaminated with sewage. Avoid contact with rivers, sea water, ponds, puddles or other surface water. Do not swim, paddle, fish, or gather shellfish or any other food from oceans and rivers. If your toilet is not working bury human waste (faeces, poo, vomit etc) in your garden or wrap it well in paper or plastic and put it in your red bin for collection. Add some sawdust or kitty-litter to neutralise odour. Wash your hands immediately after dealing with any human waste. See Disposing of Sewagebelow. Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser after toileting, and before and after eating or preparing food. If you are sick, try to limit contact with other people, do not go to work and do not prepare food for anyone. Call your GP if you require medical attention. It is important you address your health concerns early with your general practice team. If it’s an emergency call 111. Take care with food - if there have been extended power cuts, use chilled food first, then frozen, then canned, and lastly packaged food. If unsure about the safety of food due to lack of chilled or frozen storage, do not eat it. |
IF
YOU HAVE BEEN ADVISED NOT TO USE YOUR TOILET, OR YOU HAVE NO
RUNNING WATER:
Toilet systems are likely to be affected
by a disaster through broken pipes, flooding of the sewerage
system, or breakdown of the pumping machinery.
Human
waste can spread disease.
During an
emergency
You may need a makeshift toilet if your
toilet cannot be used. Avoid overflows, flooding or ponding
caused by broken sewerage lines, and contact your local
council, public health unit or civil defence sector post for
advice on diverting overflowing sewerage.
How to make a
temporary toilet
• If your toilet is still
intact, put a strong plastic bag under your toilet seat to
collect waste, alternatively line a bucket or rubbish bin
with a strong, leak-proof plastic bag.
• Put
half a cup of liquid bleach in the bag.
•
Make a seat from two planks of wood or use a toilet seat on
top of the container.
• Keep the bin
completely covered when not in use, to prevent attracting
flies.
• Tie the top of the bag firmly when
full and place it inside another bag.
• Dig a
hole well away from the vegetable garden and downhill from
any water source and bury the bag.
• Make
sure the bag is well covered with dirt.
•
Wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet or
handling human waste.
How to make a long-drop
toilet
• Dig a hole up to one metre deep well
away from the vegetable garden and any water source.
•
Make a seat out of planks of wood.
• Cover
the waste properly with dirt after each use.
•
Throw in a little garden lime, insecticide or disinfectant
to reduce smells and flies.
• Use the
long-drop until it is full to within 300mm of ground
level.
• Cover completely with soil and dig a
new long-drop.
• Wash your hands thoroughly
after going to the toilet or handling human waste.
From
the Ministry of Health resource “Protecting Your Health in
an Emergency”.
ENDS
Canterbury DHB
CDHB
Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is a Christchurch, New Zealand based hospital and healthcare provider for the
Canterbury region of New Zealand. Our region extends from Kekerengu in the North, to Rangitata in the South and Arthurs Pass in the West and comprises the six Territorial Local Authorities of Kaikoura, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Christchurch City, Selwyn and Ashburton.
We collaborate with other health and disability organisations, stakeholders and our community to decide what health and disability services are needed and how to best use the funding we receive from Government to improve, promote and protect the health, wellbeing and independence of our population.
At the Canterbury DHB, our vision is to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Canterbury.
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