Emergency Preparedness

In case you are asked to evacuate your home, or even your area, select two safe locations you could go to. One should be nearby, such as the Makwa Community Centre. The other one should be farther away, outside of your neighbourhood, in case the emergency affects a large area.

Record your safe meeting places, make sure all household members are aware of the locations and keep a copy in your emergency preparedness kit.

• safe meeting place 1 (near home)
• safe meeting place 2 (outside of my neighbourhood)

You should also plan how you would travel to a safe location if evacuation was advised. Have an emergency kit ready to take with you - see Step 2. And if you have pets, think of someone who can take your pet(s) if you have to leave your home. Often, only service animals are allowed at reception centres.

Record the following safety information, post it somewhere that is easily accessible and visible for your household and ensure a copy is kept in your emergency preparedness kit:

• my evacuation route
• location of my emergency kit
• location and contact information for pet assistance

Keep a list of emergency numbers at the ready and make sure all members of your household know where they are. Teach children when and how to dial 9-1-1 and other key numbers they may need to call. Here are some numbers you should consider having on this list:

• 9-1-1 (where available)
• police
• fire
• family doctor
• Telehealth
• poison control
• relatives & friends who can lend support in a crisis
• insurance contact
• utility companies

Every adult in your household, and older children, should know how to turn off main utilities—water, electricity, gas. In certain emergencies, authorities will ask that these be turned off for safety reasons. Write out instructions, if needed, and post somewhere visible. Everyone should also know where the floor drain is located and ensure that it is not obstructed, in case of flooding.

• Review directions to turn-off utilities—including water valve, electrical panel and gas valve—and record them.

Make copies of important documents—insurance, main identification documents like a driver’s licence, passport, birth and marriage certificates, and wills. Keep these with your plan in a safe place. Consider sharing copies with out-of-town relatives or friends, or keep a set in a safety deposit box.

• Create a packet of important documents.

If you or anyone in your household has medical conditions or disabilities, be sure your plan reflects this information. For instance, for someone with medical needs or conditions, you may want to include in your plan a medical history, copies of prescriptions and contact information for key health-care providers. Your emergency kit should also contain extra medications and supplies. You may not have access to conveniences, such as pharmacies, immediately after an emergency has occurred. It is also a good idea to teach others about any medical needs, such as how to use medical equipment or administer medicine.

To learn more about emergency planning for disabilities, consult our guide for people with disabilities.

The following list includes essential items to have in your emergency kit:

• food (non-perishable and easy-to-prepare items, enough for three days) and a manual can opener
• bottled or bagged water (4 litres per person for each day) and backup water purification tablets
• medication(s)
• toilet paper and other personal items such as soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
• personal protective equipment (PPE) such as medical masks and respirators
• back up chargers and power banks for cell phone or mobile device
• cash in small bills
• portable light source such as a flashlight, headlamp or glow stick
• radio (crank or battery-run)
• extra batteries
• first-aid kit
• candles and matches/lighter
• hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
• important papers such as a copy of your emergency plan, identification, contact lists, copies of prescriptions, etc.
• extra car and house keys
• whistle (to attract attention, if needed)
• zip-lock bag (to keep things dry)
• garbage bags and duct tape

Additional considerations

The following list includes additional items you may require to meet your household’s unique needs:

• items for babies and small children such as diapers, formula, bottles, baby food, etc.
• comfort and sentimental items such as photos of loved ones, irreplaceable items, etc.
• prescription medication
• medical supplies, equipment and copies of care/support plans including contact information for doctors or specialists
• extra pair of glasses or contact lenses and solution (if applicable)
• pet supplies (learn more on how to keep pets safe in an emergency)
• any other items specific to your household’s needs