Fewer than half of Canadian households have an emergency kit. You should know how to respond to severe weather or any disaster that could occur in your area—hurricanes, earthquakes, extreme cold, flooding, or extended power disruptions. Visit Get Prepared to learn about the risks in your region and how you can prepare for, and respond to, the most likely disasters.
You should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. You may need to get by without electricity, tap water, and sewage treatment. A Disaster Kit could help you survive.
- Related: Making earthquake kits
Your kit/s should be easy to carry. Use a backpack or a suitcase with wheels. Keep your kit/s in an easily accessible place in your home. You may even want to make a kit for every member of your household. And don’t forget about your pets.
Your kit should include:
- A local map with your family meeting place identified
- Phone number and/or email address for an out-of-town person you can contact to let them know your situation
- First-Aid kit including prescription medications
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio; extra batteries
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Candles and matches in a waterproof container
- Whistle to signal for help
- Extra batteries for your cell phone, a solar charger is useful
- Cash in small bills
- Three-day supply of food and water (don’t forget your pets)
- A small stove
- Seasonal clothing and footwear
- Emergency reflective blankets (space blankets)
- Tent
- Multipurpose tool/wrench for turning off water and gas
- Supplies such as toiletries/toilet paper/dust masks/duct tape/garbage bags/bleach
- Copies of important documents (birth certificate, passport, bank info, will, insurance documents)
Check out our printable infographic below:
