Make a plan

• A contact list including members of your family, important numbers (e.g. family physician, veterinarian, workplace, school, utility suppliers, insurance) and others who you can call for support or assistance (e.g. friends, neighbours, out-of-town contact).
• How you will communicate with each other if separated and/or your devices are not working (e.g. phones and mobile networks overloaded or down).
• The location of emergency kits and/or go-bags as well as fire extinguishers, first aid kits and utility shut offs (e.g. water, hydro, gas).
• Household escape routes including doors, windows and stairways.
• Meeting places inside your home in case of extreme weather events (e.g. tornado) or you’ve been advised to shelter-in-place (e.g. hazardous material release) as well as meeting places outside your home if you have to evacuate (e.g. fire, flood).
• Keeping copies of important documents such as personal identification (e.g. driver's license, passport, birth certificate, social insurance numbers), health records, wills, and insurance.
• The emergency plan at your children’s school or childcare centre.
• Any additional considerations for:
  • Children
  • People with disabilities
  • Seniors
  • Pets
  • Landlords and Property Managers

If you rent your home or live in a high-rise, you should also include:

• Contact information for your landlord, superintendent or Property Management
• Location of emergency exits
• Locations of fire extinguishers and, if available, automated external defibrillator (AED) units.

Consider working with neighbours when creating your emergency plan to increase your options for support and assistance. Residents are encouraged to set up a ‘buddy system’ to check in on neighbours, especially the elderly and those who might have special needs.
Plan today to protect you and your loved ones for tomorrow. Click on either of the following links below to create an emergency plan online:

• Emergency Management Ontario: Emergency Preparedness Action Plan
• Public Safety Canada: Get Prepared Emergency Plan

Being able to communicate with family, friends and emergency responders during an emergency is critical. However, it is important to keep in mind that your devices may not work properly or for an extended period of time during an emergency. In a large disaster, phone calls often have a hard time going through because everyone in an area is trying to make a call at the same time, and the system becomes overloaded. Consider the following to stay connected during an emergency:

• Be sure to charge your devices when warned of potential emergencies such as extreme weather forecasts.
• Conserve your battery by going into power saving mode, reducing the screen's brightness and closing apps when not in use.
• Purchase a portable battery or power bank to extend the battery life on your devices.
• If you have a landline, keep at least one corded phone in your home.
• Do not use 9-1-1 for non-emergency reports or means to obtain general information about the situation. 9‑1‑1 is for police, fire or medical emergencies when immediate action is required.
• Avoid non-emergency phone calls that can contribute to overloading local phone and mobile networks hindering emergency services who need to use them.
• If you must use the phone during an emergency, keep conversations brief by only discussing vital information.
• If possible, use text messaging, email or social media, as these use less bandwidth than voice communications and may work even when phone service has been disrupted.
• If you are unable to complete a call, wait ten seconds before redialing to help reduce network congestion.
• Long distance calls often work when local calls do not.
• Avoid using your mobile device to stream videos, download entertainment or play video games immediately after an emergency in order to reduce network congestion that can still impede response efforts.

Communications Plan

You and your loved ones may not be together when an emergency occurs so creating and discussing a communications plan should be one of your first steps when preparing your family.

Make a contact list of friends, family, and neighbours making sure everyone has a copy. The list should include at least one out-of-area contact in case local phone and mobile networks are overwhelmed. This contact can provide updates on loved ones status, location and help you to reconnect. Additionally, you can create a group list on all mobile phones and devices of the people you would need to communicate with if there was an emergency or disaster. Be sure your contact list also includes contact information for:

• Your family doctor
• Your veterinarian
• Daycares and/or schools your children attend
• Your workplace(s)
• Your utility providers (e.g. hydro, gas, water, telecommunications)
• Your insurance provider

All members of your family know where this list is located in case it is needed in an emergency and know who to contact if they become or are separated. Family members with a cell phone should also enter this information into their Contacts.
If you or people important to you use social media, remember some sites offer a “checked safe” feature when an emergency occurs in their area.

• Media releases
• Radio
• Social media
• Television
• Door-to-door

The most important thing is to seek out credible sources so you can make good decisions during a disaster. For common sources of information during an emergency visit Stay Informed.

Having family meeting locations is an important part of your emergency plan. It should consider the varying scope of emergencies from those impacting your property to an entire region. Identify the following family meeting locations:

• Indoors: in case of extreme weather (e.g. tornadoes, flooding) or other emergencies where you have to stay inside (e.g. shelter-in-place during a hazardous material release).
• In your neighbourhood: in case of an emergency affecting your property (e.g. fire, gas leak).
• Outside your neighbourhood: in case an emergency happens when you’re not home and you cannot return home
• Outside your town or city: in case of a larger-scale emergency where you cannot reach your out-of-neighbourhood location or you are instructed to evacuate the area.

Make sure everyone in your family knows the address of the meeting places and discuss ways you would get there.
Create a neighbourhood support system

Note: Avoid shutting off your natural gas when you are ordered to evacuate unless directed by authorities to do so. Alternatively, your natural gas service may be turned off by your provider as a precautionary measure at the request of emergency officials. If your gas is shut off at the meter, DO NOT try to turn it back on. Only a licensed gas contractor can do that safely.

• insurance,
• driver’s licence,
• health card,
• social insurance numbers
• passport,
• birth and marriage certificates,
• medical history including prescriptions and vaccinations,
• wills, and
• pet ID tags

Keep these with your plan in a safe place. Consider sharing copies with out-of-town relatives, friends, or keep a set in a safety deposit box.

Questions to ask your insurance provider:

• What risks are considered preventable and what needs to be done to demonstrate that you tried to prevent them (e.g. frozen pipes)?
• What types of water damage coverage does my insurance policy cover?
• If my house experiences sewer back-up and flooding at the same time, what will my policy cover?
• Are there any incentives or discounts if I install and maintain a backflow preventer or sump pump?
• If there’s wind damage to my property, what is the difference in coverage between a basic property policy and a comprehensive policy?
• If my property experiences hail damages, what are the coverage limits for my property?

Recording your property inventory

A copy of property inventory should be kept away from home either in a safety deposit box or with another family member or in a fire and water resistant safe.

Click to access the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s Personal Property Inventory checklist.

Consider these tips for those who may be vulnerable or if you are a landlord:

Children

• Reviewing your emergency contact list and who might pick them up from school or elsewhere if you are unable to do so.
• Teaching them when and how to use 9-1-1 including what it is for, finding a safe space to call from and what to say.
• Reviewing different hazards that could cause an emergency (e.g. tornadoes, floods, blizzards, fire) and what to do if they occur.
• Involving them when creating your family’s emergency plan and emergency kit.
• Practicing evacuation drills and talking about why you are doing it. Doing this regularly should reduce their fear as it creates more familiarity.

Be aware of the signs of distress

Some children react right away during an emergency while others may show signs of difficulty much later. How they react often depend on:

• Their age,
• Previous experiences, and
• How they typically cope with stress.

Common reactions may include:

• Infants becoming more cranky crying more and needing more affection
• Preschoolers and kindergartens returning to behaviours they’ve outgrown such as bedwetting, tantrums, separation anxiety and difficulty sleeping
• Older children (7-10yrs) may feel sad, mad or afraid that the event will happen again. They may have trouble concentrating and are more prone to false information. They may also want to speak about the event in detail or not want to talk about it at all.
• Preteens and teenagers may act out or become afraid to leave home. They may isolate themselves and feel overwhelmed with emotions that they think they are unable to speak about.

Helping kids cope

The key to helping your children cope is simply being there for them and making them feel safe. Remind them that if an emergency happens, others will also be there to help such as firefighters, police, paramedics, nurses, doctors, teachers and other emergency workers.

To help kids cope during an emergency:

• Be aware of your own reactions to the emergency as they will naturally turn to you for guidance and comfort.
• Try to explain what is/has happened and what is being done to correct it.
• Take their fears seriously and let them know it is ok to be scared.
• Explain what you think and feel to help them feel less alone in their reaction.
• Maintain familiar routines like mealtimes and bedtimes as best as possible.
• Monitor their viewing of media coverage as people become more distressed if they see repeated images of a disaster.
• Consult a professional if you are concerned or do not have the answer.

Click for more information on emergency preparedness for children.

People with disabilities

• Accommodation needs (e.g. mobility)
• Medical history including conditions, allergies, medication, vaccinations, and surgeries
• Foods that meet your dietary needs
• Insurance information
• In preparing for an emergency, you should also consider:
• Creating a buddy system with your neighbours and regularly practice your emergency response plan with them.
• Including contact information of your support network in your emergency plan.
• Creating a communications plan that will outline who you will contact and who will check in on you during emergencies.
• Providing someone in your support network (e.g. relative) with an extra key to your home as well as the location(s) of your emergency plan and emergency kit.
• Talking to your home care and medical service providers about their emergency plan and identifying back-up service providers.
• Talking to your primary care provider about how to keep an extra supply or valid prescription in your emergency kit or emergency go-bag.
• Including written instructions for special medical or mobility equipment and medication in your emergency plan. Teach those who might help you how to use necessary equipment and administer your medicine.
• Developing an emergency backup plan that will ensure any life sustaining equipment/apparatus equipment is operable in the event of a power outage.
• Wearing a MedicAlert bracelet or carrying an identification card.
• Carrying a personal alarm that emits a loud noise to draw attention to you.
• Adding prescription drugs, medical supplies and special equipment to your emergency kit.

Older adults

• Creating a buddy system with your neighbours and regularly practice your emergency response plan with them.
• Including contact information of your support network in your emergency plan.
• Creating a communications plan that will outline who you will contact and who will check in on you during emergencies.
• Providing someone in your support network (e.g. relative) with an extra key to your home as well as the location(s) of your emergency plan and emergency kit.
• Talking to your home care and medical service providers about their emergency plan and identifying back-up service providers.
• Talking to your primary care provider about how to keep an extra supply or valid prescription in your emergency kit or emergency go-bag
• Including written instructions for special medical or mobility equipment and medication in your emergency plan. Teach those who might help you how to use necessary equipment and administer your medicine.
• Developing an emergency backup plan that will ensure any life sustaining equipment/apparatus equipment is operable in the event of a power outage.
• Adding assistive devices and other supplies to your emergency kit such as canes, walkers, breathing apparatus, eyeglasses, hearing aids and batteries, spare footwear with any special orthotics, dentures and cleaner, food meeting dietary restrictions, as well as extra medications (and ice packs for them where necessary) and vitamins.

Pets

Pets are also members of your family so be sure to include them in your family’s emergency plan. This includes adding items to your emergency kit, pre-identifying where they could be sheltered during an emergency and ensuring you have means to search for them in case they are lost.

Be prepared for your pets to act unusual during and after an emergency. They may become panicked, disoriented, defensive or aggressive. The emergency may also result in more hazards at their level such as debris, spilled chemicals, fertilizers and other substances that might not seem to be dangerous to humans.

Pet emergency kit

When preparing an emergency kit for your pet, be sure you have:

• food, potable water, bowls, paper towel and a can opener
• blanket and a small toy
• sturdy leash/harness and muzzle (if required)
• cat litter/pan (if required) and plastic bags
• thick gloves to handle a panicked pet
• carrier for transporting your pet
• medications and medical records (including vaccinations)
• current photo of you and your pet together (helps prove ownership)
• information on feeding schedules, medical or behavioral problems in case you must board your pet
• up-to-date ID tag and microchip number with your phone number and the name/phone number of your veterinarian
• copy of licence (if required)

Click for additional items to consider for specific animals and a pet first aid kit.

Evacuating with pets

For their own safety, pets should not be left behind during an evacuation. If safety permits, take your pet with you. However, it is important to note that some reception centres and group lodging sites may not accept pets with the exception of service animals. Hence, pet owners must plan ahead to know where they can take their animals in the event of an evacuation. To be more prepared, consider the following:

• Consider a buddy system with nearby neighbours, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.
• Ask friends and relatives outside your area if they’d be willing to look after your pets in an emergency.
• Check with hotels and motels in your area to see if they accept pets during an emergency.
• Have a list of kennels and veterinarians who could shelter and care for your pets in an emergency.
• Be sure to have a pet emergency kit including but not limited to a crate/carrier and leash available if you have to evacuate with your pet.

If you must leave your pets in the house, do not tether or cage them. Provide lots of water and food (ideally in timed dispensers). A full bathtub and toilet seats left up can provide other means for your pet to access water. Leave a sign in the window and a note on the door indicating the date and time you left, a number you can be reached at and the type and number of pets that have been left behind inside.

Click for more information on how to keep pets safe in an emergency.

Landlords and Property Managers

• Invest in making your property more resilient such as having back-up power, enhanced windows and drainage systems.
• Utilize meetings with residents to discuss emergency preparedness.
• Develop and communicate an emergency plan to all tenants. Ensure it is accessible to all tenants and consider providing copies during the rental agreement process.
• Provide emergency contact numbers to tenants (e.g. security, property manager) to notify and receive updates in the event of an emergency.
• Have up-to-date contact information for tenants and their emergency contacts.
• Include muster or assembly points in the case of evacuations at a safe distance from the building.
• Plan for maintaining necessary on-site services and determine special needs including assistance for vulnerable residents (e.g. medically fragile, mobility issues).
• Have a supply of emergency lighting devices such as LED flashlights to supplement the building’s emergency lighting.
• Determine temporary relocation options such as using other buildings within your portfolio, transportation for tenants.
• Create a resident bulletin board to post regular safety updates and updates in the event of an emergency.
• Consider implementing floor wardens where residents can volunteer to help lead their floor in safety measures in the event of an emergency.
• Establish a designated cooling room/space in a common area where residents can go in an extreme heat event if they do not have air conditioning.

Other locations (e.g. daycares, schools, workplaces)