Emergency Preparedness Home Emergency Kit
Red Cross is encouraging Canadians to prepare a home emergency kit containing essential tools and materials necessary for survival in a disaster.
Home Emergency Kit
Suggestions for the contents of your kit are:
a flashlight, radio, batteries, first aid kit, extra car keys, cash, important papers, canned food, bottled water, a manual can opener, a change of clothing, shoes, blankets or sleeping bags, toilet paper, other personal supplies, medication, and a whistle to attract someone’s attention.
"At the very least, those materials will get you through the first critical hours, so as you can then address further day-to-day needs,” says George McKnight, Disaster Services Coordinator.
“Disasters can drastically limit the availability of what you have come to take for granted -- such as communications, electricity, water and access to gasoline.”
Red Cross also recommends identifying more specific preparedness activity based on historical disaster risks in your region. If you know flooding is prevalent, give extra consideration to things like sewer backflow, fuel tanks and electrical systems.
You can also make a world of difference by becoming a Red Cross disaster response volunteer or by contacting a Red Cross office to enroll in training to help ensure you, your family or your organization is prepared.
“Expect the unexpected,” says George McKnight. “We’ve never helped anyone who’s told us, ‘we sure saw this coming.’”
To take training, volunteer or make a donation in support of Red Cross disaster response, contact your nearest Red Cross Service Centre, or call 1-800-661-3308.
Other links:
http://www.redcross.ca
http://www.emergencypreparednessweek.ca
http://www.psepc-sppcc.gc.ca/
