Disasters often strike without warning. Ensure you and your family are prepared.
Family emergency preparedness
Know the risks in your area, make a family emergency plan, prepare an emergency kit for your home and vehicle, and keep informed. Prepare to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours.
Remember to plan for children, special needs, and even pets.
If disaster strikes:
- Remain calm, and keep patient;
- Put your emergency plan into action;
- Check for injuries;
- Give first aid and get help for people seriously injured;
- Listen to your radio, television, or Alberta Emergency Alerts;
- Follow instructions from local authorities;
- Evacuate, if advised to, and wear protective clothing and footwear when doing so;
- Check for damage to your home;
- Use flashlights;
- Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell or suspect a gas leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, get everyone outside quickly, and wait for a professional;
- Shut off any damaged utilities;
- Clean up spills, particularly if flammable;
- Call your family contact, but do not use the telephone again unless in a life-threatening situation;
- Stay away from downed power lines;
- Confine/secure your pet.
Access personal emergency preparedness resources, including booklets, and videos in both English and French are available on the Alberta Emergency Management Agency website.
Emergency kits- home
Your kit should include items to keep you safe for a minimum of 72 hours, whether you need to stay in your home, or need to evacuate.
Remember that you may not have access to power or tap water.
Basic emergency kits should include:
- Water- at least two litres of drinking water per person, per day; small bottles work best, especially in the case of an evacuation (do not forget water for pets);
- Flashlight and extra batteries;
- First aid kit;
- Candles and matches or lighter;
- Extra house and car keys;
- Cash including change;
- Important documents such as identification for everyone;
- Food that will not spoil (do not forget food for special diets, or for pets);
- Clothing and footwear (one change of clothing for each person);
- Blankets;
- Toilet paper, and other personal toiletries;
- Medication;
- Backpack, duffle bag, or something to carry the kit in should you have to evacuate;
- Whistle;
- Playing cards, or games
Pre-packaged emergency kits
The following agencies offer pre-packaged emergency kits:
Visit www.getprepared.ca or call 1 800 O Canada (622 6232), for a listing of retailers across Canada that sell pre-packaged emergency kits.
Emergency kits- vehicle
A basic emergency kit for your vehicle should include:
- Blanket;
- Candle with holder, and matches or lighter;
- First aid kit with seatbelt cutter;
- Flashlight;
- Food that will not spoil;
- List of contact information;
- Crank or battery powered radio;
- Small shovel, scraper, and snow brush;
- Warning lights or road flares;
- Water;
- Whistle;
- Sand, salt, or kitty litter;
- Road maps;
- Anti-freeze/windshield wiper fluid;
- Work gloves.
Alberta Emergency Management Agency
More information about emergency preparedness, including emergency kit ideas, are available on the AEMA website. Visit www.aema.alberta.ca