Emergency Preparedness Week: Be Ready for Anything
Essex County residents are being asked during Emergency Preparedness Week to take some simple actions designed to keep themselves and their families safe in the event of natural disasters and situations like power outages that can arise from adverse weather events.
The theme for this year’s Emergency Preparedness Week, which runs from May 1 to May 7, is: “Be Ready for Anything.” Emergency preparedness experts say there are three basic steps residents can take to protect themselves and their loved ones:
- Know the risks
- Make a Plan
- Get an Emergency Kit
Know The Risks:
Although the consequences of various disasters can be similar, knowing the risks in your specific region can help you better prepare. Essex County is surrounded on three sides by water and is susceptible to flooding events and also experiences severe weather events, including intense heat and humidity, wicked summer storms and tornadoes. In addition to natural disasters there are other risks, like power outages, industrial accidents and motor vehicle collisions.
Learn about Ontario’s hazards so you can better prepare for them!
Learn more on the Government of Canada’s Get Prepared site!
Make a Plan:
Every household should have an emergency plan to ensure you and your family know what to do in the event of an emergency and how to connect with each other should you be separated when the emergency occurs.
It should only take you about 20 minutes to create your family’s emergency plan. Keep your plan in an easy-to-find, easy-to-remember place. Photocopy the plan and keep it in multiple places like your car or your place of work.
Use this worksheet to help craft your family’s emergency plan!
Review these tips for making an emergency plan!
Watch a video on creating an emergency plan!
Get an Emergency Kit
You and your family should be prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours in the event of an emergency. That’s where an Emergency Kit comes in!
Your kit should include essentials like water, food that won’t spoil, a first-aid kit, a manual can opener, a crank or battery-powered flashlight and radio, extra batteries, spare keys to your house and car, a small amount of cash and change for payphones, and your emergency plan and contact information. Additional items could include candles and matches, clothing, blankets, toiletries, basic tools and a whistle in case you need to attract attention.
Make sure your kit is easy to carry and that everyone in the house knows where it is.
Review this provincial guide for making a 72-hour emergency kit!