Risks will vary throughout the region. Different safety measures will need to be taken for your home, depending on the risks relevant to your area. Remember to think about all the different locations where you may be when considering risks. This could include home, work, school, driving, or recreational activities. The best way to prepare for any emergency is to have an emergency plan, kit, and grab-and-go bag.
The Guide to Emergency Preparedness in the Capital Region [PDF/2.5MB] provides essential steps to prepare for emergencies. Inside, you'll find:
- What to do before, during, and after an emergency
- Handy checklists to ensure nothing is overlooked
- Practical advice to protect yourself and your loved ones
You and your family should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least seven (7) days without outside assistance. We encourage you to plan for 7 days, because we know that in the event of a major disaster, it might take longer than three days for help to arrive from the mainland.
If you are well prepared, you will be in a better position to help your family, friends and neighbours. Most people survive disasters. Following a disaster, your family's safety, health, comfort and general well-being may be entirely in your hands.
Contact Information and Reunification Planning
Thinking ahead will help reduce the stress of an emergency. Plan how you will connect with your family in case of an emergency.
- Make a phone list and include an out-of-area contact. If you find yourself separated from family each family member can check-in with the out-of-area contact.
- Pick a meeting place, where you'll meet your family members during an emergency. If gathering at home is the ideal, but you can't get there, identify a secondary reunification spot.
Additional Planning Considerations
- Places to stay in case you cannot access your home (Friends or relative's house, RV, boat or hotel).
- Safe exit routes from your home and work to the reunification spot.
- Understand risks in the Region.
- Locations and proper use of important equipment such as fire extinguishers, gas and water valves, floor drain, and the electrical box.
- Consider the unique needs of those who may rely on you for assistance: children, pets, aging parents, and those with disabilities.
- Assemble your household emergency get and prepare a grab-and-go bag for each person/pet in your household.