Summer is ending. Emergencies aren’t: The Canadian Red Cross urges Canadians to prepare

While summer may be winding down, the need to stay informed, vigilant, and prepared remains critical

As disasters become more frequent across Canada, knowing how to prepare for emergencies is more important than ever. With summer winding down, the risk isn't over. Wildfires continue to burn, floods are affecting communities in several parts of the country, and other emergencies can happen at any time.

The Canadian Red Cross is encouraging people to remain vigilant and take steps now to be prepared for potential disasters. Being prepared helps protect individuals and households, while making it easier to support neighbours and communities when disaster strikes.

The Canadian Red Cross encourages everyone to:

• Know the risks in your community and stay informed by following guidance from local authorities.
• Make a plan so everyone knows what to do and where to go during an emergency.
• Build an emergency kit with essential items for at least three days (or seven-10 days for households in Northern communities).
• Build a network by staying connected with neighbours, friends, and community members to ensure shared support during an emergency.

Canadians can find practical tips and resources to prepare for emergencies here.

QUOTE:

“This disaster season has shown how quickly emergencies can affect communities across the country. It is vital for people to take steps in advance of a disaster by knowing the risks, making a plan, building an emergency kit, and staying connected with their community. Taking action beforehand can make a real difference when an emergency happens.”

– Melanie Soler, vice-president, emergency management, Canadian Red Cross

Quick Facts

In recent months, the Canadian Red Cross has been supporting people and communities impacted by wildfires and floods across Canada, at the request of provincial and municipal governments, Indigenous leadership, Indigenous Services Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada. This support has included:

• BC wildfires: Supporting reception centres and group lodging sites, connected people with community partners, clean-up kits and other essential supplies.
• Kashechewan First Nation flood: Supported host partners with reception and information services, registration, personal services and wellness checks; operated a tuck shop and supported the delivery of bottled water. 
• Manitoba floods: Delivered emergency accommodations, registration, meals, personal services, clean-up kits, and case management and early recovery support . In addition, the Canadian Red Cross assisted authorities with the production and placement of flood mitigation supplies, such as flood barriers, sandbags, and provided protective equipment for community responders.
• Manitoba wildfires: Provided emergency accommodations, meals, registration, transportation, information, and personal services.
• Montreal floods: Provided emergency lodging and food.
• Northern Ontario wildfires: Opened an emergency shelter and provided registration, information, well-being support, personal services, health navigation, and requested supplies.
• Neskantaga First Nation infrastructure failure: Supported reception and information services, wellness checks, personal services and distributed supplies such as bottled water.
• Ottawa floods: Provided personalized recovery support, including needs assessments, insurance guidance, information on available resources, and support for home repairs and rebuilding. 
• Saskatchewan floods: Established reception sites and provided registration, information, emergency accommodations, food, transportation, and equipment to support sandbagging operations and flood mitigation efforts.
• Saskatchewan wildfires: Activated reception centres, secured emergency lodging, and provided transportation support.
• N95 Mask Distribution Program: The Canadian Red Cross is distributing N95 respirator masks, free of charge, to organizations located in communities across Canada that may be affected by wildfire smoke.

For more information on the Red Cross active responses, visit redcross.ca.

ABOUT THE CANADIAN RED CROSS

Here in Canada and overseas, the Red Cross stands ready to help people before, during and after a disaster. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – which is made up of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 191 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies – the Canadian Red Cross helps people in Canada and around the world prepare for, respond to and recover from disruptive events.

MEDIA CONTACTS

English Media: media@redcross.ca, 1-877-599-9602
French and Quebec Media: communication@croixrouge.ca, 1-888-418-9111