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

Open fire season declared for whole of Canterbury

Open fire season declared for whole of Canterbury

7 May 2024

Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Canterbury District will move from a mix of restricted and prohibited fire seasons to an open fire season from 8am Tuesday 7 May, until further notice.

This change applies to the Canterbury plains, Banks Peninsula, Canterbury foothills and coast and Canterbury hill and high country. Department of Conservation land will return to a restricted season, the all-year round default setting.

An open fire season means people can light outdoor fires without a permit approved by Fire and Emergency.

Announcing the change, District Manager Dave Stackhouse says while the fire risk will continue to decrease as conditions continue to cool, people should still make sure any outdoor fire they light is well controlled and safe.

"Only burn on calm days and be mindful of smoke drifting across neighbouring properties and roadways," he says.

"Burn no more than two small sized burn piles at any time and make sure these have a 10-metre clearance from any combustibles like trees, shelterbelts and structures.

"Create a five-metre fire break around the fire of green grass or bare earth. You should have a water source nearby and monitor the fire.

"This is particularly important in the top of North Canterbury where conditions are dry from Cheviot through to Culverden," Dave Stackhouse says.

"If you need any advice about this, please head to checkitsalright.nz as this website has useful information about outdoor fire use and safety."

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