Blankets are an important part of the Red Cross preparedness and response to disaster. The organization keeps them on hand to give to victims of disasters who need them, and it recommends that households make blankets a part of their preparedness kits. The Red Cross in Quebec used the iconic blankets in a 2009 print campaign that recognized the work of disaster response volunteers. These items are part of what is packed for international disaster relief efforts, and made available to the victims of personal tragedies at home.

While the Red Cross is typically known for responding to major disasters, such as storms and earthquakes that destroy homes and cripple essential services, it has programs in place for responding to personal disasters as well. A personal disaster is usually a house fire, or basement flooding. The Canadian Red Cross has a network of trained volunteers that respond to these family-sized emergencies.  Through this network, the Red Cross can provide food, shelter, clothing and supplies such as blankets, to the victims of these personal disasters for up to 72 hours.

“My entire family was on the street while we watched our own house burn in front of us.  Red cross provided us with clothes, a hotel room, food and most of all – emotional support. I can’t thank the Red Cross enough!”

This help is clearly needed. In 2016, the Canadian Red Cross estimated it provides personal disaster assistance to 10,000 Canadians each year, and that well over 90 per cent of its responses between 2010 and 2015 were to personal disasters. The help is clearly appreciated, too. “My entire family was on the street while we watched our own house burn in front of us,” said one victim of a tragic fire. “Red Cross provided us with clothes, a hotel room, food and most of all – emotional support. I can’t thank the Red Cross enough!”

Because of the pervasiveness of personal disasters in Canada, the Red Cross supports household disaster awareness and preparedness. Its awareness program stresses the case of house fires, the most common household emergency, informing Canadians addressing their causes and prevention.  Preparedness, involving an evacuation plan and emergency kit, is also key.