Emergency Preparedness for Canadian Families in September
Preparing for emergencies in Canada can be challenging, given its multiple climates and varying degrees of disaster risk. A little preparation can go a long way, and it could be the difference between life and death in the case of a storm or a prolonged power outage. We’ll walk you through how to make a reliable emergency plan so you can be prepared no matter what life throws at you.
Assess Risk in Your Area
To correctly prepare for an emergency, you must be aware of local safety concerns in your area. Canada has a very diverse climate, so this will likely vary from region to region. Being prepared for potential risks, whether earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, blizzards, or other natural disasters, is crucial.
Before you jump headfirst into creating your emergency plan, research what your region is at risk of, take note of your emergency providers, and use this to help tailor your preparation.
Create a Household Emergency Plan
Every household in Canada should have an emergency preparedness plan. Follow these steps below to help you get started preparing for your home and family:
Have a meeting point: Discuss with the rest of your family a meeting point to gather at should a disaster strike. If you live in a city or an apartment, check with your building to ascertain a safe meeting location.
Know your exits: Ensure you and your family know the safest exit points from your home and your neighbourhood should you need to evacuate.
Pet safety: If you have pets, you should already know what you will do with them in an emergency. Do you have someone you can leave them with? Maybe you have crates to transport them. Whichever it is, don’t neglect your furry family members.
Emergency contacts: Note emergency contacts—preferably on paper—and keep them somewhere safe and easily accessible. Don’t just keep them on your phone in case your phone battery dies and you can’t access them.
Learn local emergency services: Be aware of local services, such as radio stations, that could be useful during storms for local updates.
Insurance: Before an emergency strikes, check your health and/or home insurance plan to know exactly what you’re covered for.
Check-ins: Discuss ahead of time with your family members and prepare a communication strategy so everyone is on the same page. This could be regular updates every hour or so.
Emergency tools: Know the exact location of your fire extinguishers, water valve, electrical panels, etc.
Build and Maintain an Organized Emergency Kit
One non-negotiable part of your plan should be your emergency kit. This will give you peace of mind and allow you to handle any natural disaster or circumstance that comes your way. Here’s what you should include in yours:
Non-perishable food: Your kit should include at least 3 days’ worth of non-perishable food and water.
Medical equipment: Have a backup of any necessary medicine and equipment.
Flashlights and batteries: Keep some extra flashlights and batteries on hand in case the power goes out.
Portable power station: Have portable power ready so you don’t lose access to communication or essential devices. The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Portable Power Station can charge the entire household’s phones (and more!). It also features a built-in light, so you won’t be stumbling in the dark.
Back-up power system: Invest in a backup battery house system. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra is powerful enough to supply your whole home with power even if the grid goes down.
Once you’ve made your emergency kit, keep it somewhere safe and easily accessible.
Prepare for Extreme Weather: Quick Onset and Personal Readiness
The biggest concern for Canadian households is the speed at which weather changes come about. This can affect how you plan and respond to emergencies, which is why it’s so important to prepare as much as possible in advance. A typical snowy winter’s day can quickly escalate into a full-on snow blizzard, leaving you trapped in your home for days.
A family emergency plan is the key to weathering your way safely through a storm. You’ll want to ensure everyone in your home is on the same page and knows what to do in the case of an emergency. Local weather warnings can be short-notice, and travel can quickly become too dangerous.
It’s also wise to keep some backup essentials in your car as a precaution. Do your bit to ensure your family has a solid plan in place. That way, you can have peace of mind that everyone will be protected—even when you’re caught off-guard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the 5 Phases of Emergency Preparedness?
Emergency preparedness involves five key phases: prevention, stopping emergencies before they happen; mitigation, reducing their impacts; preparedness, getting plans and supplies ready; response, taking action to stay safe during a crisis; and recovery, restoring normalcy afterward. Together, these phases help protect your family, home, and community during disasters.
What Items Should I Stockpile for an Emergency?
For emergency stockpiling, aim to have at least 72 hours’ worth of essentials. This includes non-perishable food, clean water, extra flashlights, backup batteries, warm blankets, and necessary medications. Having these basics ready ensures your household can stay safe and comfortable during unexpected disruptions or disasters.
Emergency Preparedness Protects Canadian Families
As the saying goes, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Natural disasters are going to occur, and emergencies are inevitable. The best thing you can do for the safety of you and your family is to follow the steps to create an actionable emergency communication plan and emergency kit. To get complete peace of mind, consider the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station as an energy backup, so you can stay connected even in an emergency situation.