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Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness Tips & Resources

Emergency Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility, but not everyone has the means or capacity to deal with emergencies. We encourage you to check on your neighbours to make sure they’re okay – knock on their door if you have to – and reach out to family and friends who may need your help during an emergency.

 

MAKE A PLAN

Create your emergency family plan and practice it.

 

BUILD AN EMERGENCY KIT

Get together with your family and put together an emergency kit with enough supplies to last 72 hours (three days). This checklist outlines all the essentials, items to meet your unique needs, and items to have ready in case you have to leave your home.

What to Put in Your Emergency Kit

Essentials

  • Food & can opener (non-perishable and easy-to-prepare items, enough for 3 days)
  • Water (4 litres per person for each day)
  • Flashlight
  • Radio (crank or battery-run)
  • Extra batteries
  • Hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
  • First-aid kit
  • Medication(s)
  • Important papers (identification, contact lists, copies of prescriptions, etc.)
  • Cash (and extra car keys)
  • Whistle (to attract attention, if needed)

Special Considerations

  • Medical supplies and equipment (cane, walker, hearing aid and batteries, breathing device, etc.)
  • Prescription eyewear and footwear
  • Dentures and supplies
  • Pet food and supplies if you have a pet

Extra Supplies for Evacuation

  • Clothes, shoes
  • Sleeping bag or blanket
  • Personal items (soap, toothpaste, other toiletries)
  • Playing cards or travel game

Other Tips

  • Place all these items in an easy-to-carry bag or case on wheels.
  • Keep your emergency survival kit in a place that is easy to reach.
  • Keep your cell phone or mobile device fully charged.

 

WIRELESS ALERTS

Wireless emergency alerts are here, but only for LTE-enabled (4G) cell phones and mobile devices in Canada. The geo-targeted alerts will warn Canadians about dangers and imminent threats to life and property so they can take appropriate action.

Click here to check your phone’s compatibility and to see if it can receive wireless emergency alerts.

If you’ve got an older model phone you can still get emergency alerts from Ontario’s Emergency Public Warning System. The system allows subscribers to receive tornado warnings and emergency alerts

 

SPECIAL POPULATIONS

Are you a Senior, a person with a disability or special need, have children or pets? Click the links below for more information on how to be prepared for an emergency!

RESOURCES for Seniors, People with Disabilities & Special Needs, Children, and Pet owners are also available for download.

 

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS LINKS