Emergencies can happen at any time, and being prepared is an important step to ensuring you can keep yourself and those around you safe from any hazards. May 7-13 is Emergency Preparedness Week, and our Emergency Management team at Halton Region is encouraging everyone to think about how you can prepare to care for loved ones, neighbours and friends in an emergency.
To be able to assist others in an emergency, you have to help yourself first, and that starts with being prepared. I encourage everyone to prepare for emergencies by following three simple steps:
Step one: Know the risks
Ensuring you are aware of potential hazards is essential because it means that you have planned for what could cause or contribute to an emergency. While we might typically think that more emergencies take place in the winter because of extreme weather and storms, emergencies can happen at any time, with each season having its own set of risks. You can check the Emergency Alerts and Public Information page to stay informed of potential emergencies in Halton and sign up for heat warnings as summer approaches, to help prepare for extreme temperatures in the months ahead.
Step two: Make a plan
Having a plan means that you know how to respond and what to do during an emergency. When making your plan, consider where exits are located in your home, where you keep essential supplies, who to contact and how you will shelter in place if left without power or water. You should also have plans in place for children, older adults, persons with disabilities, pets or service animals. Visit our Preparing for Emergencies Information page for more details on the different types of plans you can have, along with tips and resources. In case you need to leave your home, you should also make a list of friends and family you can contact and note the closest evacuation centre in your community.
Step three: Get a kit
An emergency kit contains everything you need to keep yourself, your household and your pets safe during an emergency for at least 72 hours. Your kit should contain food, water and other necessities in case you lose access to running water or power. An emergency kit should also include items like a first-aid kit, prescription medication, a flashlight and chargers for electronic devices. Preparing a separate kit for your car that contains essential items will help you stay safe during emergencies on the road. To access helpful checklists and learn more about what to include in your emergency kit, visit the Get a Kit section on halton.ca.
Completing these three steps will help ensure you’re prepared, and are able to properly care for your loved ones, neighbours and friends. By being prepared, your actions help ensure first responders can focus on the emergency and assisting those in critical need.
To learn more about how you can prepare for emergencies, visit the Preparing for Emergencies page on halton.ca.
As we recognize Emergency Preparedness Week, I would like to thank our Emergency Management team at Halton Region, all first responders and everyone working hard to keep Halton safe. We all play an important role in the event of an emergency. By planning ahead to protect yourself and those you care for, you help keep Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire.