Preparing for Emergencies

Preparing for an emergency is important. By taking a few simple steps, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies and minimize the impact on yourself and your family.

• Discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live and work. Identify responsibilities for each member of your household.

• Identify two places for your family to meet. One right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire. The other outside of your neighbourhood, in case you cannot return home.

• Develop a plan so your family can stay in touch during an emergency. Include phone numbers for all family members, caregivers, and work, school, and daycare phone numbers, if applicable. Often long-distance phone calls are easier to make during an emergency. Identify an out-of-area contact that everyone in your family can call during an emergency to leave messages for the others.

• Every household should have an emergency plan. Create your own plan online. 

Tip for Planning: Having home or tenant Insurance can help you replace or repair damaged items impacted by an emergency. It may also help cover expenses if you are forced to leave your home during an emergency. Discuss your needs with your insurance company and understand your coverage.

Apartments and Condominiums

If you live in an Apartment or Condominium, make sure your plan includes the building management’s name and contact phone number; location of emergency exits and where to assemble if the building is evacuated.

Learn about the emergency evacuation plans in place and what you will need to do. You may want to have some basic supplies at work, such as water and food that won’t spoil, in case you need to stay put for a while.

Check with your employer about workplace emergency plans, including:

• Fire alarms

• Emergency exits

• Meeting points

• Designated safety personnel or floor wardens.

• Ask your children’s school or daycare about their emergency policies. Find out how they will contact families during an emergency.

• Find out what type of authorization the school or daycare requires to release your children to a designated person if you can’t pick them up.

• Make sure the school or daycare has updated contact information for parents, caregivers and designated persons.

Discuss your plan with family and friends and teach others about any special needs you may have. Think of what you will need if you are away from the home for 3 days or more. Prepare a kit to take with you that includes contact numbers, medications and special needs supplies.

Arrange for someone to check on you during an emergency.  If you have a pet or service animal ensure you have supplies for them too.

Create a ‘go bag’ in case you have to evacuate your home

Consider these items:

Put aside a 3-day supply of food for your household

Consider:

• Usability - Choose high energy food items that don’t need to be cooled, heated, or need a lot of water. Examples include nuts, protein bars, canned or dried meat, dry cereal, canned vegetables, graham crackers or even chocolate. Make sure you have a manual can opener if you plan to use canned goods.

• Shelf Life - Look at the expiration date listed on the food item. Use and replace foods before the expiration date.

Store a 72-hour supply of water

• Have at least 2 litres per person per day. Include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order. Change your stored water supply every six months to ensure it stays fresh.

Recommended additional items include:

Talk with family to identify unique needs

What things could your household members not do without? Consider:

• Supplies for infants and young children (Baby food, diapers, wipes, blanket or toy)

• Prescription medication (keep a three-day supply with you)

• Health-related supplies (For example, diabetics need insulin syringes, alcohol wipes, and glucometer supplies)

• Assistive devices (glasses, canes, etc.)

Consider those with disabilities 

• Create a personal support network to assist during an emergency

• If you have a service animal ensure you create a pet emergency kit for them

• If you use a mobility device, include a tire patch kit, can of seal-in-air product, supply of inner tubes, pair of heavy gloves and a spare deep-cycle battery for motorized wheelchair or scooter

• If you have a visual impairment, include an extra cane, talking or Braille clock and any reading devices/assistive technology to access information

• If you have a hearing impairment include extra writing pads and pencils for communication, pre-printed key phrases you would use during an emergency, and extra batteries for assistive devices 

You should also consider keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle. Items should include:

You should also consider your pets as they can require different items than your emergency kit. Items should include:

Know where to get local emergency information

Alert Ready

• Alert Ready delivers emergency alerts to Canadians through wireless devices.
• To learn more about the system and check your mobile phone’s compatibility visit www.alertready.ca

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