Our 3-Step Escape Plan

  • First Escape Route
  • Second Escape Route
  • Meeting Place
Notes

Use this space to note any additional information about your escape plan, i.e. who will assist

Your checklist

  • Get low

    Smoke is poisonous and more deadly than flames.

    If you breathe smoke for more than a few breaths it can kill you.

  • Be fast

    A house fire can kill you in less than three minutes.

    Don't spend time trying to save possessions.

  • Close doors

    A closed door buys you time.

    It slows down the spread of fire, giving you more time to get to safety.

  • Get out - stay out!

    People have died by going back into a fire.

    Don't leave the meeting place to go back inside for any reason.

Call emergency services as soon as you are out and safe. Ask for FIRE.

Clearly state your address and let the operator know it anyone is still inside or has not made it to the safe meeting place.

Emergency call 111 Emergency text 111
Fire & Emergency New Zealand

Fireworks and sky lanterns ban revoked for Wellington region, Wairarapa moves to open fire season

Fireworks and sky lanterns ban revoked for Wellington region, Wairarapa moves to open fire season

7 May 2024

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is easing fire restrictions across the Wellington District.

The restricted fire season covering all Wairarapa fire zones will be revoked at 8am on Wednesday, 8 May 2024, until further notice.

This means a permit will no longer be required to light an open-air fire.

In addition, the ban on the use of fireworks and sky lanterns for the Wellington District will be lifted from 8am Wednesday.

The ban was imposed on 9 February this year under Section 52 of the Fire and Emergency Act which allows Fire and Emergency to restrict activities that may start or cause the spread of fire.

The fireworks ban included Wellington, Porirua, the Hutt Valley, the Kapiti Coast and Wairarapa.

Declaring the changes, Wellington District Community Risk Manager Phil Soal says cooler temperatures and wet weather across the District has reduced the overall fire risk.

"However, we continue to urge people to be vigilant when lighting any fires, and to not light their own fireworks, but wait for public pyrotechnic displays instead," Phil Soal says.

"Privately lit fireworks have been the cause of a number of unwanted fires in the past that make Fire and Emergency concerned about injuries to the public, and damage to property, land and the environment."

While the District is now in an open season, all precautions should still be taken when lighting a fire, including taking note of the weather forecast. You can check if it is safe to light on a given day, as well as getting safety advice, at www.checkitsalright.nz

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