Home Survival Kit the Key to Being Ready for an Emergency
April 28, 2014
The City of Vaughan is marking Emergency Preparedness Week, May 4 to 10, by encouraging residents to make sure they have a home emergency kit.
The December 2013 ice storm showed that residents need to be prepared for any kind of emergency, at any time of the year. Being prepared takes only a short time and many of the items for a 72-hour survival kit are already found in the home.
A survival kit should include –
- Four litres of water per person per day
- Food – a three-day supply of non-perishable items
- First aid supplies
- Tools and supplies including a battery powered radio and flashlight
- Clothing and bedding
The City of Vaughan also offers tips to help residents be prepared for potential emergencies –
- Monitor media sources for weather information and emergency messages
- Know where to take shelter – a basement or the centre of a building, away from windows and exterior walls
- Have an emergency survival kit on hand
- Reduce the hazards in and around the home by trimming dead or rotting branches, cutting down dead trees, bringing flower pots indoors and tying down larger items such as lawn furniture
- Have an emergency kit for your pet and complete documentation on your pet should you become separated
- Learn about the types of emergencies/disasters that could occur in Vaughan
As part of the PrepE Emergency Preparedness Campaign, the City has a series of videos that are designed to inform residents about the importance of being equipped for emergency situations. The videos can be viewed at youtube.com/thecityofvaughan.
For more information on emergency preparedness, contact Sharon Walker, manager of Emergency Planning, at 905-832-8585 ext. 6322 or sharon.walker@vaughan.ca.