Hazard App FAQs and instructions

Who will I receive alerts from?

Red Cross hazard app on phone. (Photo: Red Cross website).Through the Hazard App, you can receive official emergency warnings and alerts from participating agencies; according to your location, or the locations of your friends and family.  You have control over the locations, types of hazard, and level of the alerts that you monitor on the app.

You will receive alerts from GeoNet and MetService throughout New Zealand.

The app is being rolled out region by region to Civil Defence groups and you will only receive alerts from the regional Civil Defence groups who are currently actively engaged with the app.  An up-to-date list can be found on the Red Cross website under 'What we do'.

The Ministry of Health and Ministry for Primary Industries maintain in-app content regarding health and biosecurity hazards.

 

How much data and battery does it use?

Receiving an alert uses a very small amount of data - usually far less than 1kb.

Having location settings turned on will increase in your battery usage; however, this also enables many of the smart features your phone has been designed to deliver.

The app uses the latest programming specifications to ensure efficient use of location services.

You will always receive alerts for areas you have chosen to monitor, including your home location, regardless of whether you have location services turned on. However, you will not be able to monitor your 'Current Location' this way (see below for more detail).

Is there a version for Windows phones?

A version of the Hazard app for Windows phones has not been developed at this time, primarily because of the small percentage of smart phones represented by Windows (with Apple's iOS and Android accounting for a combined total of more than 95% of the mobile market).

However, Microsoft has announced its intention to develop a platform to allow iOS and Android developers to move their apps over to Windows devices. This page will be updated when a version of the Hazard app for Windows phones becomes available.

How to use the Hazard App

General Settings

Ensure your device's Location Services/GPS is turned on. This can be found in your device's 'Settings' menu.

When installing the app, enter your primary location first. Then set up other locations to monitor.

Using 'Monitor Current Location'

This will broadly monitor your location as you move based on GPS location. This is best used when travelling or visiting other parts of New Zealand.

Leaving 'Current Location' on constantly may drain your battery.

The radius of 'Current Location' also varies between devices.

Android devices

How do I set a new location?

  1. Click on menu icon (top left-hand side beside 'Hazard')
  2. Click 'Alerts'
  3. Click 'Manage Locations'
  4. Click 'Add new location'
  5. Enter street address
  6. Click 'Accept'
  7. Add people to this monitored location (optional)
  8. Click 'Finish".

How do I edit an alert radius?

  1. Click on menu icon (top left-hand side beside "Hazard")
  2. Click 'Alerts'
  3. Click 'Manage Locations'
  4. Click the location you want to manage
  5. Click 'Edit Location'
  6. Adjust the size of the area you want to monitor by sliding the radius button
  7. Click 'Accept'.

How do I choose which alerts I wish to receive?

  1. Click on menu icon (top left-hand side beside 'Hazard')
  2. Click 'Alerts'
  3. Click 'Manage Locations'
  4. Click the location you want to manage
  5. Scroll down and turn on/off the notifications you prefer
  6. Click check mark (top left-hand side) when done.

Note: It is strongly recommended that 'General Notifications' remains turned on.

How do I monitor my current location?

  1. Click on menu icon (top left-hand side beside 'Hazard')
  2. Click 'Alerts'
  3. Click 'Manage Locations'
  4. Scroll to bottom for 'Current Location'
  5. Switch button on.

Note: For this feature, your phone's location settings must always be turned on. This may increase your battery usage.

iPhone Devices

How do I set a new location?

  1. Click 'Alerts' icon
  2. Click on '+' sign
  3. Enter street address
  4. Click 'Next'
  5. Add people to this monitored location (optional)
  6. Click 'Finish'.

How do I edit an alert radius?

  1. Click 'Alerts' icon
  2. Click 'Locations'
  3. Click the location you want to manage
  4. Click 'Alert Radius'
  5. Adjust the size of the area you want to monitor by sliding the radius button
  6. Click 'Back'.

How do I choose which alerts I wish to receive?

  1. Click 'Alerts' icon
  2. Click 'Locations'
  3. Click the location you want to manage
  4. Scroll down and turn on/off the notifications you prefer
  5. Click 'Back'.

Note: It is strongly recommended that 'General Notifications' remains turned on.

How do I monitor my current location?

  1. Click 'Alerts' icon
  2. Click 'Locations'
  3. Scroll to bottom for 'Current Location'
  4. Switch button on.

Note: For this feature, your phone's location settings must always be turned on. This may increase your battery usage.

Find out how to get alerts to your smartphone