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 family should have an emergency plan. Create your own plan online. 

Apartments and Condominiums

Emergency Preparedness in Apartments and Condominiums

Make a plan
Emergencies can happen when you least expect them. That’s why it is important to develop an emergency plan and prepare yourself and your loved ones. The Emergency Preparedness Action Plan for your household should:

• identify the building management’s name and contact phone number; location of emergency exits and where to assemble if the building is evacuated;

• include information related to any special needs such as medical history and medications.

Build a kit
Make sure to have these suggested items on hand and store them in a location where they can be easily located and reached by everyone in your home:

• food and water for all occupants and pets for at least 72 hours

• extra clothing

• a flashlight and radio

• Towel or sheet to hang out of a window or balcony to identify your location to emergency services

• copies of important documents including passports, bank account numbers, credit cards, health cards and photo IDs

• cash on hand

• cell phone or mobile device, with alternate battery, car charger or portable battery bank

• required medications and child care supplies

Stay informed
Ontario’s Emergency Public Warning System is a tool that provides timely and accurate information to Ontario residents, businesses and visitors during an emergency. The system allows Ontarians to receive three types of warnings – Red Alerts, Emergency Information Advisories and Tornado Warnings.

• Sign up for public alerting at ontario.ca/beprepared

• Follow @ontariowarnings on Twitter and Facebook.com/emergencymanagementontario

Evacuation
If you must evacuate, follow the directions of building management and/or emergency personnel. If you have time and it is safe to do so:

• take your emergency survival kit
• turn off lights and appliances (except your refrigerator)
• lock your doors

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.

In an emergency you will need some basic supplies. What do you require to ensure special needs are met?

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:

• 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 car. 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

Follow the City of Hamilton on Twitter 

• @cityofhamilton