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Home   Programs Emergency management Emergency preparedness Guides Preparing for emergencies General preparedness
Taking steps ahead of time can help you cope better if a disaster strikes. Prepare with your family and household, and keep emergency supplies on-hand. This can help you avoid injury, help other people and minimize damage to your property. Even though some problems cannot be prevented, you can reduce the damage by taking simple precautions, such as knowing the types of events common to your area and what time of year they are likely to strike. These general preparedness tips can help you survive at least 72 hours in your home or workplace without help from emergency response officials.
Next steps
Where to start  Consider natural disasters such as earthquakes as well as technological failures such as power outages and deliberate acts like terrorism. You may find it helpful to prepare a list of the risks you are most likely to face and think about how they might affect your family. Emergencies often strike too quickly to allow you to choose a shelter or pack an emergency kit, so prepare a list of what to do at home, school or work if a disaster strikes. Divide up tasks so that every member of your household participates as much as possible. Write down the details and make sure everybody has a copy. You will find the following emergency preparedness guide useful in making your plan and preparing an emergency kit. Know the safe places to beDecide where to take shelter in your home during different situations such as hurricanes or earthquakes. Practise taking cover in the safe places at least once a year. Repeating this kind of safety drill -- practising exactly where to go and what to do -- is important for everyone but especially for children so they know what to expect and don’t forget the instructions over time. Repeat safety drills -- practise exactly where to go and what to do -- especially with children.Agree on an alternate meeting place and shelterMake sure each family member knows what to do at home, at school, at work if family members become separated or if it is impossible to get home. Decide where you will meet if you are separated during a disaster and choose a place, such as a friend’s house or hotel, where you can stay for a few days in case you are evacuated. When choosing your shelter, remember that bridges may be out and roads may be blocked. Don’t forget to plan for your pets -- they may not be permitted in emergency shelters so find a “pet-friendly” hotel or friend’s home. Select an out-of-the-area contactPick someone each member of the family can call or e-mail in case of an emergency. Be sure to choose someone who lives far enough away that they won’t be affected by the same situation. This contact, ideally a relative or close family friend, should agree to pass news on to other family members if you get separated and call the contact from different places. Each member of the household should memorize this contact’s phone number and address and keep the information with them at all times. If you live alone, develop an emergency plan for yourself with links to friends and neighbours. SchoolsLearn about the emergency plans of your children's school or day-care centre -- for example, you will need to know whether your children will be kept at school until you or a designated adult can pick them up or if they will be sent home on their own. Be sure that the school has up-to-date contact information for you. Keep in mind that the school’s telephones may be overwhelmed with calls during an emergency. Find out ahead of time what type of authorization the school requires to release a child to someone else should you not be able to pick up your child yourself. Your communityLearn about your community’s emergency plans and authorities. Find out who you might need to call and what you might be asked to do in an emergency. You can contact local community offices to learn about their emergency plans. Find out where emergency shelters are located and whether there are designated emergency routes. Identify the closest emergency services offices (e.g. fire, police, ambulance, public works such as gas and electrical utilities) and record their telephone numbers in a list near the telephone. You can find these numbers near the front of most telephone books. High-rise buildingsIf you live in an apartment building or residence, it should have its own emergency plan. At the officeYour workplace may also have an emergency plan. Determine what your role is in the plan, what to do if an alarm sounds and how to evacuate the building safely. 
Preparing your home  Go through your home with other household members and imagine what could happen to each part of it during a violent earthquake, hurricane or other disaster scenario. Teach everybody in the household how to turn off the water, electricity and gas. Clearly label the on-off positions for these utilities. If your home is equipped with natural gas, tie or tape the appropriate wrench on the pipe to turn off the gas. Discuss insurance coverage with your broker. Make sure that you have the right kind of insurance for the range of risks that may occur in your area. (See the Natural Hazards of Canada map and the Canadian Disaster Database.) Make an inventory of the valuable things you own and keep a video or photographs of them for insurance purposes. Ensure that these and other important documents are stored safely in a waterproof area or box. Always keep a class ABC fire extinguisher handy and make sure each member of your family knows how to use it. If you cannot extinguish a small fire with a portable fire extinguisher, or if the smoke becomes hazardous, leave the area. Close the door to contain the fire. Warn others of the danger, call 9-1-1 and wait outside for the firefighters to arrive.
When you travel  When you go to a hotel, try to get into the habit of always keeping your footwear near the bed and clothing close by in case you have to leave in a hurry. Consider travelling with a battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries. As soon as you arrive, identify the safest place in your hotel room to take shelter (such as under a table) as well as the locations of the emergency exits. Remember to read all safety materials provided by the hotel.
Emergency kits You could be anywhere when a disaster strikes but it is likely that you will be at home, at work or in your car. Having supplies on hand can help you survive the emergency and, if necessary, make you self-sufficient for three days or longer.  Emergency kits should be portable so put supplies in easy-to-carry containers (such as a duffel bag or small plastic bin) ready to take with you. Store the kit in an easily accessible location such as a closet shelf on the main floor. You could also consider preparing a personalized kit in a backpack for each member of the family, ready to go in case you need to evacuate.
It is a good idea to have additional emergency supplies in your tool shed or garage in case you have to evacuate your home and can’t go back inside. Use the subsequent lists to assemble your emergency kit: MedicalYour kit should contain a complete set of first aid supplies, including: - First aid manual
- Bandages
- Adhesive tape
- Antibiotic ointment
- Antiseptic towelettes
- Over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers
- Safety pins
- Cleansing agent or soap
- Cold pack
- Eyewash solution
- Cotton swabs
- Disposable gloves and face shield
- Gauze pads
- Include a few weeks supply of any essential regular medication such as insulin (check expiry dates regularly).
- Make a list of the prescription medications taken by each family member as well as the style and serial number of medical devices such as pacemakers, hearing aids and eyeglass prescriptions. Also include the names of family physicians and specialists.
- Add any “special needs" items for members of your household such as contact lens liquids, infant formula, diapers, items for people with disabilities, denture needs, etc.
First aid training - Take a first aid course that includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). FoodHave at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water on hand. Remember to replace the unused canned and dry food in your kit every year. Choose compact, lightweight, ready-to-eat foods that your family likes and that don't need refrigeration, cooking or preparation. If food must be cooked, include a camp stove and fuel. Never use charcoal or gas barbeques, camping heating equipment or home generators indoors. Examples of non-perishable foods: - Ready-to-eat canned food such as stews, baked beans, pasta, meat, fish, poultry, vegetables and fruits
- Cereal
- Trail mix
- Oatmeal cookies
- Crackers or biscuits
- Candies
- Freeze-dried foods
- Canned milk, juices, instant coffee and tea
- Staples such as sugar, salt and pepper, powdered coffee whitener, honey, peanut butter, syrup and jam
- Special dietary requirements such as baby food and formula
Remember to keep eating utensils, disposable cups and plates, a manual can-opener and a bottle opener with the food. If you have pets, don’t forget to store food for them.WaterStore at least four litres of water per person per day -- for drinking, food preparation, hygiene and dish washing. Store water in a cool dark place. If you store tap water, use plastic bottles that have been washed, disinfected and are easy to carry. Record the date that you bottled the water on the label. Replace stored tap water every six months. If you have pets, don’t forget to store approximately 30 millilitres of water per kilogram of the animal’s weight per day. For example an average cat or small dog would require at least 1/5 of a litre (or half a cup) of water per day. Keep a supply of water-purifying tablets and non-perfumed chlorine bleach in your emergency preparedness kit. | Three ways to purify water | 1. Boil it for at least 10 minutes.
2. Add water-purification tablets.
3. Add one drop liquid chlorine bleach per litre of water (or three drops for cloudy water). Stir and let sit for 30 minutes before drinking. The water should have a slight chlorine smell. |
Shelter- Small tent, plastic sheet or tarpaulin
- One sleeping bag or two warm blankets per person
- Candles and matches or lighter in waterproof containers
- Kerosene or naptha lantern and fuel
ClothingIt’s a good idea to put aside one change of indoor and outdoor clothing and footwear per person. This could include: - Sweaters
- Woollen socks
- Hat, scarf, mittens
- Underwear
- Rain gear
- Sturdy waterproof shoes or boots (the shoes should be heavy enough to protect feet from broken glass and other debris)
- Heavy work gloves
Toiletries- Toilet paper
- Sanitary napkins/tampons
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
- Soap
- Towels
Tools- Basic tools (hammer, pliers/wrench, screwdriver set, pry bar, assortment of fasteners, work gloves)
- A spare pry bar should also be stored outside in a tool shed or garage
- Wrench (crescent or pipe) in case you have to turn off the natural gas
- Duct tap
- Rope
- Small shovel
- Pocket knife
Communications- Whistle (three short blasts is the recognized signal for help)
- Flashlight (one per person) and batteries. It is also a good idea to keep a flashlight near your bed, in your car and at work. Have spare batteries in each location.
- Pen, marker, notepad
- Battery-powered, solar or hand-cranked AM/FM radio or television (and extra batteries)
- List of the frequencies of local radio stations
WeatherThe Meteorological Service of Canada part of Environment Canada, monitors the weather 24 hours a day, seven days a week and issues watches, advisories and warnings through: - Radio and television stations
- Internet at www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca
- Weatheradio -- a network of transmitters across the country broadcast over special frequencies 24 hours a day
- Weather Line -- a network of automated telephone answering devices that provide recorded information (look in the blue pages of your telephone book under “Weather” for the telephone number)
Check and replace batteries yearly to keep them fresh. Important documentsRemember to store important family documents and records in waterproof containers and make sure you know where they are. It is not a good idea to store them in the basement if there is a risk of flooding. - Will
- Powers of attorney
- Insurance policies and life insurance beneficiary designations
- Contracts
- Deeds
- Stocks and bonds
- Family records (birth and marriage certificates, etc)
- Passports
- Social insurance cards
- Health cards and immunization records
- Licenses
- Savings and chequing account numbers
- Credit card account numbers and contact information for companies
- Important telephone numbers
- Printed copies of emergency checklists and instructions, such as these. You may not remember all of the instructions during an actual emergency and you may not have access to the Internet.
| Money | Bank machines, credit cards and other forms of electronic commerce may not be available during an emergency.
Keep some cash or travellers’ cheques with your other emergency supplies and provisions. |
Copies of essential documents should also be kept in a safe location outside your home such as a safety deposit box or the home of a relative who lives out of town. Additional items- Gasoline-powered generator and appropriately rated extension cord
- Camp stove and fuel
- Portable toilet
- Extra car and house keys
- Playing cards, games, toys
- Books appropriate to family interests/ages
- Colouring books, drawing paper and crayons
- Small up-to-date photos of family and loved ones for identification
- Moist towelettes
- Facial tissues
- Comb or hairbrush
- Shampoo, deodorant
- Liquid detergent
- Insect repellent
- Plastic garbage bags and ties
- Chlorine bleach and liquid disinfectant
Keep supplies in a separate pack (such as a tote bag) in case you are “on the road” during an emergency. Make a pack for each vehicle in your household. - Booster cables, tools and tow chains
- Shovel and sand, kitty litter or other traction aids
- Ice scraper and brush
- Bottled water -- at least four litres
- Canned food and opener, dried fruit, cookies and crackers
- Outdoor clothing, footwear and a backpack
- Sleeping bag(s) or emergency thermal blankets
- First aid kit and manual
- Compass
- Flashlight and spare batteries
- Waterproof matches, “survival” candle in a deep can (to warm hands, heat a drink or use as an emergency light)
- Cloths or roll of paper towel, toilet paper, moist towelettes and small plastic bags
- Cash and coins
- Map of the region where you live
- Pen/pencil and paper
- Playing cards and colouring books for children
- Warning lights or road flares, axe or hatchet, fire extinguisher, methyl hydrate (for fuel line and windshield de-icing), seatbelt cutter
- If you do not already have a cellular telephone, and if the cellular network works in your area, you may want to consider having one with you in your car for emergencies
- Extra windshield washer fluid and antifreeze
Remember to keep your gas tank at least half full all year round and nearly full in the winter. Gas pumps are likely to be unusable after a major disaster like an earthquake. Keep the following items in a pack in your workplace in case you have to walk home or to safety: - Gloves, walking shoes and outdoor clothing
- Emergency silver foil (“space”) blanket
- Flashlight
- Radio and batteries (stored separately in waterproof bags)
- Whistle (three short blasts is the recognized signal for help)
- Bottled water
- Dried fruit and nuts, high-energy food bars
- Small up-to-date photos of family and loved ones for identification
- Paper with your name, home address and any special medical conditions
Taking shelter  If you are advised by local officials to "shelter-in-place", you must remain inside your home or office and protect yourself there. The following steps will help maximize your protection: - Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
- Turn off all fans, heating and air-conditioning systems.
- Close the fireplace damper.
- Get your emergency kit and make sure the radio is working.
- Go to an interior room that's above ground level (if possible, one without windows). In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.
- Using duct or other wide tape, seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
- Continue to monitor your radio or television until you are told all is safe or are advised to evacuate.
Evacuating safely  If local authorities ask you to leave your home, they have a good reason to make this request and you should heed their advice immediately. Listen to your radio or television and follow the instructions of local emergency officials. Practise your home evacuation plan with family members at least once a year. - Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes so you can be protected as much as possible.
- Take your emergency kit and cellular telephone if you have one. Take small valuables and papers but travel light.
- Lock your home and don’t forget your key.
- Go to the designated meeting place in your family plan.
- Use travel routes specified by local authorities. Don't use shortcuts because certain areas may be dangerous or impassable.
- If you go to an evacuation centre, sign in with the registration desk so you can be contacted or reunited with your family and loved ones.
- Get in touch with your out-of-area emergency contact person (identified in your emergency plan) to let them know what has happened, that you are OK and how to contact you. Alert them to any separated family members.
- Listen to local or provincial/territorial authorities for the most accurate information about what is happening in your area. Staying tuned to local radio and television and following their instructions is your safest choice.
If you have time: - Take your pets with you. They may not be permitted in public shelters, so follow your plan to go to a friend's home or "pet-friendly" hotel.
- Leave a note saying where you are going. Register at any local registration and inquiry centre so you can be contacted when it is safe to return home.
- If instructed to do so, shut off water, electricity and gas before leaving. Keep in mind that if you turn off the gas, a qualified technician must turn it back on when you return home. In a disaster, this might take some time.
After any emergency  These are general instructions that apply to many emergencies but not every situation is the same. Please also read the sections on specific disasters. - Try to stay calm.
- Check yourself and others for injuries. Give first aid to people who are injured or trapped. Take care of life-threatening situations first. Get help if necessary.
- Check on neighbours, especially the elderly or people with disabilities.
- Confine or secure pets.
- Use the battery-operated radio from your emergency kit to listen for information and instructions.
- Do not use the telephone except to report a life-threatening injury. Please leave the lines free for official use.
- If possible, put on sturdy shoes and protective clothing to help prevent injury from debris, especially broken glass.
- If you are inside, check the building for structural damage. If you suspect it is unsafe, leave and do not re-enter.
- Do not turn on light switches or light matches until you are sure that there aren’t any gas leaks or flammable liquids spilled. Use a flashlight to check utilities.
- Do not shut off utilities unless they are damaged, leaking (a gas leak smells like rotten eggs) or if there is a fire. If you turn the gas off, don’t turn it on again. That must be done by a qualified technician.
If tap water is available, fill a bathtub and other containers in case the supply gets cut off. If there is no running water, remember that you may have water available in a hot water tank, toilet reservoir or in ice cube trays. - Do not flush toilets if you suspect that sewer lines are broken.
- If you are in a high-rise building, do not use the elevator in case of power failure. If you are in an elevator, push every floor button and get out as soon as possible.
- Pick up your children from school or the pre-determined collection point.
- Stay away from damaged areas unless you are asked to help or are qualified to give assistance.
- Do not go near loose or dangling power lines. Downed power lines can cause fires and carry sufficient power to cause harm. Report them and any broken sewer and water mains to the authorities.
- Water supplies may be contaminated so purify your water.
- If the power has been off for several hours, check the food in the refrigerator and freezer in case it has spoiled.
Caring for the injured  These basic principles can be used in many situations. This information is no substitute, of course, for comprehensive first aid training or for proper medical care. - Survey the scene to make sure it is safe for you and others.
- Check the victim for responsiveness. If the person does not respond, call for professional medical assistance (i.e. call 9-1-1 or other local emergency number).
- Check and care for life-threatening problems, check the person's airway, breathing and circulation, attend to severe bleeding and shock
- When appropriate, check and care for additional problems such as burns and injuries to muscles, bones and joints.
- Keep monitoring the person's condition for life-threatening problems while waiting for medical assistance to arrive.
- Help the person rest in the most comfortable position and provide reassurance.
The following are some additional steps to take when providing care for common injuries: Cover the wound with a dressing and apply direct pressure. If you do not suspect a broken bone, elevate the injured area above the level of the heart. Cover the dressing with a roller bandage to hold it in place. If the bleeding does not stop and blood soaks through the bandage, apply additional dressings and bandages without removing any of the blood-soaked dressings. Provide care for shock. Encourage the person to lie down. Help the victim maintain normal body temperature. Stop the burning by cooling the burn with large amounts of clean, cool water. Cover the burn with dry, clean, non-stick dressings or cloth. Do not break blisters. Rest the injured part. Avoid any movements that cause pain. Immobilize the injured part before moving the victim and giving additional care. Apply ice or a cold pack to control swelling and reduce pain. Elevate the injured area to help slow the flow of blood and reduce swelling. If it appears that chemical agents are involved, leave the emergency scene as quickly as possible and seek help. Local authorities are better equipped to address and contain this type of emergency. People who may have come into contact with a biological or chemical agent may need to go through a decontamination procedure before receiving medical attention. Listen to the advice of local officials on the radio or television to determine what steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Since emergency services will likely be overwhelmed, only call 9-1-1 about life-threatening emergencies. The chance of getting a disease while giving first aid is normally extremely low. To reduce the risk even further: - Avoid direct contact with blood, other body fluids and wounds.
- Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water immediately after giving care.
- Use protective equipment, such as disposable gloves and breathing barriers.
- Be aware of chemical/biological/radiological exposure risks.
Emotional reactions in emergencies  While every situation is different, the following are some things you might expect during a disaster. There may be a large number of casualties, the safety of buildings and houses may be compromised and rubble may block areas, making it dangerous or difficult to get out or walk around. Health services in hospitals and mental health resources may become strained, maybe even overwhelmed. Know they are doing their very best under extraordinary circumstances. Health care facilities have emergency plans and might access additional resources -- such as mobile hospitals -- or enlist the support of medical staff and facilities from neighbouring communities, provinces or the Government of Canada. Law enforcement from local, provincial and federal levels might be involved if the event was criminal in nature, such as a terrorist attack. Extensive media coverage, high public anxiety and the social impact of the emergency could all continue for a prolonged period. Workplaces and schools may be closed and there might be restrictions on local, domestic and international travel. You and your family or household may have to evacuate an area following routes specifically designated to ensure your safety. Clean-up and recovery operations could take many months. People caught in a disaster often feel confused. You might not act like yourself for a while. You may tremble, feel numb, vomit or faint. Immediately after the disaster, people often feel bewildered, shocked and relieved to be alive. These feelings and reactions are perfectly normal. Many survivors sleep poorly, have no appetite, are angry with those around them or panic at the slightest hint of danger. Children might start thumb-sucking or bed-wetting. These feelings and reactions are perfectly normal too. Talk about your feelings. Discuss what's happened. Encourage your children to express their feelings. They may want to do this by drawing or playing instead of talking. Understand that their feelings are real. Recognize that when you suffer a loss, you may grieve. (Yes, you can grieve the loss of a wedding photo or your grandfather's favourite ring.) You may feel apathetic or angry. You may not sleep or eat well. These are normal grief reactions. Give yourself and your family permission to grieve and time to heal.  Children exposed to a disaster can experience a range of responses such as anxiety, fear, nervousness, stomach aches and loss of appetite. These are normal and temporary reactions to danger. Parents can help relieve their children’s anxiety by taking their fears seriously, reassuring them and giving them additional attention and affection. After a disaster, children are most afraid that the event will happen again, that someone will get hurt or injured, that they will be separated from the family or that they will be left alone. Comfort and reassure them. Tell them what you know about the situation. Be honest but gentle. Encourage them to talk about the disaster and to ask questions. Give them a real task to do -- something that helps get the family back on its feet. Keep them with you even if it seems easier to do things on your own. At a time like this, it's important for the whole family to stay together. Television coverage of terrorist incidents and other tragedies -- and people's reaction to those events -- can be very upsetting, especially to children. Talk to your children about what is happening and how you and governments are keeping them safe. We do not recommend permitting children to watch television reports that show images of the same incident over and over again. Young children often do not realize that it is repeated video footage and may think the event is happening again and again. Adults might also need to give themselves a break from watching disturbing footage. (Since listening to local radio and television reports will provide accurate information on what's happening and what actions you can take, try to take turns listening to the news with other adult members of your household.)
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