Emergency Planning for Individuals & Families

KNOW THE RISKS IN OUR AREA

Natural hazards vary from region to region in Canada. Knowing what to do is an important part of being prepared. Find out about risks in your region and how to prepare for different situations.
Canadians should also be aware that other hazards can trigger emergencies that may affect them. These emergencies could be bomb threats, chemical spills or infectious disease outbreaks.

See the Get Prepared homepage for more information.

MAKE A PLAN FOR EACH RISK

Think about your kids at school or elderly parents across town. If phones don’t work, or some neighbourhoods aren’t accessible, what will you do?
Having a family emergency plan will save time and make real situations less stressful. build a family emergency plan online.

PREPARE A 72-HOUR KIT

In an emergency, you will need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.

You may have some of the items already, such as food, water and a battery operated or wind-up flashlight and battery operated radio. The key is to make sure they are organized and easy to find. Would you be able to find your flashlight in the dark? Make sure your kit is easy to carry and everyone in the household knows where it is. Keep it in a backpack, duffle bag or suitcase with wheels, in an easy-to-reach, accessible place, such as your front-hall closet. If you have many people in your household, your emergency kit could get heavy.

It’s a good idea to separate some of these supplies in backpacks. That way, your kit will be more portable and each person can personalize his or her own grab-and-go emergency kit. Use the Government of Canada’s Emergency Kit page for more information.

Don’t forget to create a plan for your pets See ‘Your Pets and Emergency Preparedness’ for planning tips before, during and after an emergency.

RESOURCES

• The Government of Canada has an excellent website on Emergency Preparedness at http://www.getprepared.gc.ca
• Emergency Preparedness booklets provided by the Government of Canada-Get Prepared are available for free at the District of Lakeland office to Lakeland ratepayers.

If you would like more information on emergency preparedness or would like preparedness information presented to your community group, contact our Emergency Measures Coordinator.