Emergency Preparedness Week 2018 takes on the theme of ‘Prepare Your Selfie – Emergency preparedness starts with you’. When disaster strikes, first responders usually go to the worst hit areas first and may not get to you right away. You need to be prepared to survive for three days. Emergency Management Ontario recommends you Make a Plan, Build a Survival Kit and Stay Informed. Here are some tips:

Make an Emergency Plan

Having a plan and knowing it is essential. Emergency Management Ontario has a great step by step resource on their website to develop an Emergency Preparedness Action Plan.  Visit their site to develop your Plan.

Build a Survival Kit

Having an Emergency Survival Kit to help keep you and your family safe for three days after an emergency is recommended. It should contain the items your family will need, including:

• Food (non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items) – enough for 3 days
• Manual can opener
• Bottled water – (4 litres per person per day)
• Medications
• Flashlight and batteries
• Radio (crank or battery run)
• Spare batteries
• First-aid kit
• Candles and matches/lighter
• Hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
• Extra car keys
• Cash
• Important papers (identification, contact lists, copies of prescriptions, etc.)
• Whistle (to attract attention if needed)
• Garbage bags
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Medication
• Zip-lock bags
• Toilet paper and other personal items
• Clothing and footwear
• Playing cards, travel games, other activities for children
• Pet food and supplies
• Items for babies and small children
• Any other items specific to your family

The above items can be stored in a duffel bag or backpack.

Stay Informed

During an emergency, you should stay tuned to local news channels. As was suggested in the Survival Kit, a crank radio is a handy tool if power is out. Keep your cell phone charged and/or only use it for emergencies.

To stay informed about emergencies, you can sign up for Ontario’s Emergency Alerts to learn more about hazards you can face and how to be prepared for them.

We hope you never have to use any of the advice above, but emergencies do happen. Be prepared and have a plan. Visit www.emergencymanagementontario.ca for more resources.

*The information in the above blog was sourced from: https://www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/beprepared/Step2BuildAKit/Step2_build_a_kit.html