If and when disaster strikes, are you prepared to keep yourself and your loved ones safe?
Disasters and emergencies can strike at any time, as hundreds of northern Alberta residents are experiencing this week with a wildfire raging dangerously close to a Fort McMurray suburb. About 500 people have been forced from their homes.
READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire: State of Emergency, mandatory evacuations, air quality advisory
If you had to leave your home at a moment’s notice, would you know what to grab? Do you have an emergency kit prepared in case your water or power is cut off?
WATCH: Fort McMurray wildfire crews use heavy machinery to create fire break
With Emergency Preparedness Week underway across Canada, local authorities are encouraging Canadians take action to plan and prepare for an emergency.
READ MORE: Western Canada wildfires: This year could be worse than last, say experts
Know the risks
It’s important to first know what types of emergencies could arise in your community and how to respond. Across Canada, people face a number of hazards including blizzards, flooding, tornadoes and wildfires, all of which pose a risk here in Alberta.
In addition to natural disasters, there are other types of hazards, such as power outages and industrial or transportation accidents.
Keep yourself informed
You can sign up for Alberta Emergency Alerts to receive disaster or emergency information directly to your smartphone. The Alberta Emergency Alert app is available for Android and iOS.
You can also follow Alberta Emergency Alert on Facebook and Twitter.
Make a plan
Every household should have an emergency plan in place, and practice it regularly. It’s also important to know what your family will do if you’re not together when disaster strikes. The province suggests planning how you’re going to contact each other and where you’re going to meet in the event of an emergency.
If you have pets, this plan should include them as well.
Put together a 72-hour ready-to-stay emergency kit
The government recommends being prepared to be on your own for a minimum of 72 hours. A basic emergency kit should include the following items:
- Water – at least two litres of drinking water per person per day; include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order
- Food that won’t spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (replace food and water once a year)
- Manual can opener
- Crank or battery-powered flashlight and radio (and extra batteries)
- First aid kit
- Extra keys to your car and house
- Some cash in smaller bills
- A copy of your emergency plan and contact information
- Prescription medication, infant formula, equipment for people with disabilities, or food, water and medication for your pets or service animal
Put together a ready-to-go kit
In the event of an emergency, there’s also a chance you’ll have to pick up and leave your home. In that situation, it’s recommended you have a separate kit packed. It’s important everyone in the house knows where the kit is stored so it’s easy to grab and go.
A ready-to-go kit should include:
- Two litres of water for each person
- Food that you don’t have to keep cold and a manual can opener
- Plastic or paper plates, cups and utensils
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Radio with batteries
- Change of clothes
- Card with emergency contact information and the number of someone to call who lives out of town
- Pet food and supplies for at least three days
- Small first aid kit
- Personal identification card
- Personal hygiene items, soap and hand sanitizer
- Store medicine you usually take near your ready-to-go kit
- Cash in smaller bills
For more information on emergency preparedness, visit the government of Alberta’s website.
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