Preparing for any possible emergency can bring peace of mind to you and your family.
Developing an Emergency Plan
-
Sit down with family members to develop an emergency plan. Consider conducting drills to practice your plan.
-
Consider that all municipalities are vulnerable to many potential emergencies like severe weather, chemical spills, or an influenza pandemic.
-
Determine safe rooms in your home to use for shelter.
-
Post emergency phone numbers and your address by the phone.
-
Ensure that even young children know their address and phone number.
-
Locate gas, water heater and electrical shutoffs in your home and mark them with labels (colour coded if possible).
-
Prepare for family health needs (medication, medical supplies, etc.), make provisions for any special needs, learn First Aid and CPR. Establish a meeting place if separated during evacuation.
-
Plan not to leave pets behind, locate a shelter and pack supplies.
-
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and check that they are working each month.