Emergency Management

Being better prepared is all about having a plan and it only takes about 20 minutes to complete.  Making sure everyone in your family knows what to do in an emergency is the first step. Consider the following questions;

• What are your two escape routes from your house and your neighborhood? Do you practice them at least once a year?
• Where will you meet if the family gets separated?
• Who can pick up the kids?
• Do you have readily available Close-by and out-of-town alternate contact information of names, telephone numbers and addresses?
• What will you do with your pets?

It's easy, fast and free to make a plan online for printing.

Building a 72 hour Emergency Kit is easy and you may be surprised how at how much you already have at home.  Your kit should contain essential items for you, your family and your pets to survive for a minimum of three days or 72 hours at home.  Keep it in an easy-to-reach, accessible place. Remember you may need to stay in place with your 72 hour kit or possibly leave immediately with a grab-and-go bag.

Essentials:

• Three day supply of drinking water (4 liters per person per day) and non-perishable food for your household, including pets
• Manual can-opener 
• Battery powered or crank radio and flashlight with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Prescriptions and special medical supplies for family
• Candles and matches/lighter
• Hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
• Important personal papers, including contact information for you 
• Extra car and house keys, smaller bills of cash
• Whistle (to attract attention, if needed)
• Copy of your emergency plan and contact information

Make sure your medications are written down and stored all together in an easily accessible location.

How to build a:

• Emergency kit for your vehicle
• Emergency kit for your pets
• Personal "Grab & Go" kit
• Medication list

• Arrange in advance for someone to check on you in the event of an emergency
• If you rely on life-sustaining equipment/apparatus that requires electricity, develop a back up plan in case there is a power outage
• Work with your family or healthcare provider to develop a plan and build a kit for your specific needs

Disabilities & Special Needs Guide for Emergency Preparedness

Insurance can help you replace what’s lost, and help cover your expenses if you are forced to leave your home during an emergency. Discuss your needs with an insurance representative.

As a homeowner or tenant, you are legally responsible for any damage you cause to any part of your building and for unintentional harm caused to others who live in or visit the property.

For example:

• If your known faulty toaster oven starts a fire that damages not only your apartment, but the entire complex, you may have to pay for the damage to your unit and the rest of the complex.
• If someone slips and falls in your rental condo, you may be held financially responsible for the cost of the injured person’s damages.
• If your clothing, furniture or electronics are destroyed by fire or water damage, replacement costs add up.

For more information, visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada.