Emergency Preparedness

Household Plan

Every home should have an emergency plan. Use this online Emergency Preparedness Action Plan tool to help create a plan that will:

• List the specific steps you need to take to get prepared
• Provide tips on hazards that might affect your community
• Include information related to special needs you may have (for example, information for people with disabilities and pet owners)

You can't predict an emergency, but you can prepare for one. Take action today! 

Tips

• Create a home escape plan that includes two ways out of every room in your home
• Compile a list of emergency contact information for household members and an out-of-area emergency contact
• Identify a meeting place where household members will go to reunite if they can’t go home in an emergency
• Make photocopies or scan electronic copies of identification cards, banking, financial accounts, insurance and medical information. Store it in your emergency kit in a safe, secure place
• Create an inventory of household possessions and property. Check your insurance policy to ensure you have adequate coverage for your home and property

Workplace Plan

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

Plan for Children

• 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

Plan for Seniors

• 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 three 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

Additional items

Recommended additional items include:

• Two additional litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member
• Hand sanitizer
• Utensils
• Garbage bags
• Toilet paper
• Playing cards and games
• A whistle in case you need to attract attention
• Duct tape to tape up windows, doors and air vents

For individuals with disabilities or special needs

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

Car emergency kit

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

• Snow brush, ice scraper and shovel
• Booster cables
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Water and emergency food supply
• Blanket
• Spare warm clothing
• Hat, mitts, scarf, and boots
• Windshield wiper fluid and gas-line antifreeze
• Sand, salt, cat litter or traction mats for ice
• Emergency flares
• Emergency contact numbers (including roadside assistance)
• Fire extinguisher
• Whistle
• Spare fuel container (kept out of passenger area of the vehicle)
• Road maps
• Car charger or power bank for cellphone

Pet emergency kit

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

• Food and bowls
• Can opener
• Water
• Blanket
• Toys
• Current pet photos
• Litter pans, bags and scoop
• Medications and medical records
• Leashes, harness or carrier
• Information on feeding schedules and behaviour
• List of boarding facilities and pet-friendly hotels

Evacuations

In some situations, you may need to evacuate. Authorities will not ask you to leave your home unless you are in danger. If you are advised to evacuate:

• Follow the instructions from emergency services on when to leave, where to go and what routes to follow
• Take your emergency kit, contacts, emergency plan and phone
• When you leave lock your house and leave a note that tells where you are going and a phone number where you can be reached
• Contact your out-of-area contact and let them know where you are going, your planned route and when you expect to arrive.
• If you are directed to a reception or evacuation centre, follow the designated route
• On arriving at a reception centre, register with the centre staff and call your out-of-area contact to give them an update
• Do not attempt to return to an area that has been evacuated until you are informed it is safe

What to do

After an emergency:

• Check yourself and family members for injuries
• Help injured individuals and provide first aid – call 9-1-1 if you need emergency services
• Check for fire hazards and gas leaks. If there are any hazards present, leave your house and call 9-1-1
• When you and family members are safe, check on your neighbours
• Monitor local radio, television stations and social media for information from emergency officials
• Use telephones and cell phones as little as possible. Keep the lines free for those who need them most
• Stay away from disaster areas to avoid interfering with rescue work
• Check your home and property for damage – if there are signs of major damage do not enter the building until it has been determined to be safe
• After extended power outages, dispose of food that may not be safe
• Contact family members to let them know that you are safe
• Contact your insurance company
• If your drinking water may be contaminated do not use it until it has been checked

How to cope after an emergency

Children and emergencies

Children may experience some anxiety and fear after an emergency and parents can help them to cope by taking steps to reassure them and keep them safe.

• Listen to their fears and concerns and encourage them to talk about it
• Reassure them about what is being done to return life back to normal
• Provide children with information at an age-appropriate level
• Keep routines as consistent as possible and make time for recreation and play
• Children may require extra time, support and comfort from parents and caregivers

What you and your family might experience

Emergencies are stressful events and individuals react to them in different ways. 

• Recognize that it is normal to feel upset, worried or anxious after an incident.
• Talk to family members and friends and be there to listen to others as well
• There may be extra work to do after an event but it is still important to balance activity and rest
• If distressing feelings or reactions continue to persist after the event or if you have experienced particularly traumatic losses, it is important to seek help through your employer, community services, or talk to your family doctor

Insurance

You should check your insurance policy before an emergency to find out if you have enough coverage and exactly what types of damage will be covered. For insurance purposes make sure you:

• Have an accurate description of your home
• An inventory of your belongings
• Take photographs, record serial numbers, and keep copies of receipts to show the value of items

If an emergency damages your home or possessions take immediate steps to protect your property from more damage and contact your insurance company as soon as possible. For free information on car and home insurance, call the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s consumer information line at 1-800-387-2880 or visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada.