- Strive to have enough supplies to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours (3 days). However, ‘the more the better.’
- Building your inventory of emergency supplies does not have to be expensive. You may be surprised at how much you already have. Consider looking for sales or keeping a surplus of regularly used food and supplies that are also items needed in an emergency kit.
- Use the change in seasons as a reminder to update your kit for the weather as well as to check expiration dates on food and medications. Add bug spray and sunscreen in the spring and warm clothing, mittens, and toques in the fall. Make sure water is fresh (at least every 6 months), clothing still fits, documents are up-to-date and batteries are charged.
- Use bins, backpacks and rolling suitcases to store your supplies somewhere in your home that is easily accessible and known to everyone in your family.
- Group like items and package them in clear plastic bags to help organize and protect them from other items that may melt, break, or otherwise become spoiled.
- Your water is meant to account for what you would drink as well as what you might need for food preparation, hygiene and dishwashing. Children, people who are nursing or people who are sick may need more. Pets need about 30 mL of water per kg of body weight per day. Hot temperatures can double water needs.
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Your emergency kit should have everything you and your household would need to be safe and take care of yourselves immediately following an emergency. It should contain enough supplies to last at least three days but, if possible, more is often better.
| Food and water |
- Water (at least 4L per person per day)
- Non-perishable food with high protein such as:
- Canned meat, fish and beans
- Trail mix/dried fruit
- Crackers and cereals
- Canned/boxed juice
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| Clothing and bedding |
- Change(s) of clothing appropriate for the season
- Extra undergarments and socks
- Raincoat, poncho, jacket
- Spare shoes
- Sleeping bag, blanket or emergency heat blanket
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| Light and fuel |
- Battery-powered or crank flashlights/lamps
- Candles with candleholder
- Lighter
- Waterproof matches
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| Equipment |
- Manual can opener
- Dishes and utensils
- Battery-powered or crank radio
- Extra batteries, power bank
- Pen and paper
- Pocket knife
- Duct tape
- Whistle
- Cell phone
- Extra charging cables and batteries
- Multi-tool and work gloves
- Generator or other alternative means of hydro if possible
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| Personal supplies and medication |
- First-aid kit
- Personal hygiene supplies
- Tissue paper, toilet paper, and paper towels
- Over-the-counter medications and prescription
- Copies of prescriptions
- Back-up pair(s) of prescription glasses
- Pet food and supplies (including toys)
- Liquid detergent, bleach and soap
- Plastic wrap, aluminum foil, re-sealable bags
- Garbage and recycle bags
- Hand sanitizer and wipes
- Disposable dust and non-medical masks
- Sunscreen and bug spray
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| Documents and identification |
- Personal identification
- Copies of birth and marriage certificate, will, passports
- Insurance policies
- Cash (small bills and change)
- Credit card information
- Copy of your emergency plan including emergency contacts
- Protective, sealable bag to store documents
- Maps
- If time allows, computers or hard drives
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| Comfort items |
- Small toys and stuffed animals
- Playing cards and games
- Reading material
- Activity books and crossword puzzles
- Colouring books and markers
- Charging cords for electronic devices
- Notebook and pen
- Family photos and heirlooms
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| Consider additional items specific to the needs of those in your family |
- Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Infants and small children
- Persons with mobility issues
- Those with severe allergies or dietary restrictions
- Persons with chronic medical conditions and medical equipment with back-up power (talk to your healthcare professional for advice)
- Cultural, religious, spiritual needs
- Pets
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| Using a generator safely |
Generators are a great step to improving your preparedness and resiliency for emergencies. However, if installed or used incorrectly they can become a dangerous source of carbon monoxide, electrocution and fire. Follow these tips when installing, setting up and using a generator:
- Consult a professional for assistance when installing a home generator including advice with respect to your specific circumstances and generator type. Make sure the generator you purchase is rated for the power that you think you will need.
- Always follow all safety instructions provided by the manufacturer.
- Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area.
- Be sure to keep the generator somewhere with proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning; a colourless and odourless gas that can be deadly. Generators outside should not be placed close to any windows or vents because carbon monoxide can build up inside.
- Before using a generator make sure the unit is properly grounded and follow the instructions and electrical codes carefully. Check that the entire cord is free of cuts or tears and that the plug has all three prongs, especially a grounding pin.
- Never use a generator in a flooded basement. It’s important to keep the generator in a dry place and operate it using dry hands.
- Have working carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home and check the batteries frequently. If the detectors are wired to the house’s electricity supply, make sure they have battery-powered back-ups.
- If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air immediately.
- Let the generator cool down and turn it off before refueling. Never refuel the generator while it’s still hot.
- Store your fuel outside in approved containers. Don’t store any fuel near a fuel-burning appliance or the generator itself.
- Remember, even a properly connected portable generator can become overloaded, resulting in overheating or generator failure. Be sure to read the instructions.
- If necessary, stagger the operating times for various equipment to prevent overloads.
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Vehicle breakdowns, poor weather, and traffic accidents can create difficult situations leaving you waiting for assistance or improved road conditions. Be sure to have an emergency kit in your vehicle to better manage these potential situations.
- Sand, salt or cat litter (non-clumping)
- Extra leash
- Antifreeze
- Windshield washer fluid
- Jumper cables
- Tow ropes
- Road maps
- Fire extinguisher
- Duct tape
- Water
- Non-perishable food with high protein
- Blankets
- Candle in deep can and matches for light and heat
- Extra clothing (weather appropriate)
- Extra shoes or boots
- Seatbelt cutter
- First-aid kit
- Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush
- Warning light or road flares
- Battery-powered or crank flashlights/lamps
- Battery-powered or crank radio
- Phone charger
- Whistle
- Over-the-counter medications and prescriptions
- Hand sanitizer and wipes
- Non-medical masks
- Package of wipes/tissues or toilet paper
- Emergency contact list
- Playing cards, games and books
- Copy of your emergency plan
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An emergency go-bag (also known as a grab-and-go bag) is simply a small emergency kit that's easy to take with you in case you need to leave right away. Usually, each person in your household will have their own emergency go-bag rather than one large bag for the entire family.
- Ready to eat food and water
- Seasonal clothing and an emergency blanket
- Personal toiletries and items, such as an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses
- Phone charger and battery bank
- Small battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Battery-powered or hand-crank flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Small first-aid kit and personal medications
- Cash in small bills
- Extra set of car and house keys
- Pen and notepad
- Whistle
- Copy of your emergency plan including emergency contacts
- A list of all the medications you take and how often
- Local map with your family meeting place identified
- Copies of important documents, such as insurance papers and identification
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