Preparing for Emergencies

• Keep emergency contacts nearby and include contacts that are geographically separated from you.
• Develop an escape plan by drawing a floor plan for each level of your residence.
  • Use a black or blue pen to draw the location of doors, windows, stairways and large furniture for each level.
  • Indicate the location of emergency supplies (Family Emergency Kit), fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, collapsible ladders, first-aid kits and utility shut-off points.
  • Use a coloured pen to draw a broken line charting at least 2 escape routes from each room.
  • Mark a place outside of the home where household members should meet in case of an emergency.
  • Keep your home escape plan visible where babysitters and children can see it.
• If you live in an apartment, know the location of the emergency exits. Ensure your family knows where the fire alarm is and explain when and how to use it.
  • In a fire or other emergency, never use the elevators as they may not work if the power goes out.
• If you or a family member live in a high-rise and may require assistance during an evacuation, you must notify the property manager to ensure they are aware.
• If you live alone, develop a plan and talk to friends, family and neighbours about your plan.

Practice emergency evacuation drills with all household members at least twice per year.

• Ensure you are aware of your workplace’s safety and security procedures.
• Read your workplace’s fire safety plan. Identify designated fire wardens, locate and make note of the emergency exits in your building and identify designated assembly locations.

• Confirm your children’s daycare or school has updated emergency contact information
• Provide your children with emergency contact information in their backpacks for use in case of an emergency.
• Ensure your children’s school or daycare has emergency policies.
• Designate an emergency contact to pick your children up after school or daycare and coordinate with your children’s school or daycare’s authorization procedures.

More information and resources

• Emergency Preparedness for Children (external link)
• Back to School Safety and Planning for Emergencies (external link)
• Ready Kids (external link)

Children's activities

• Canadian Red Cross Activity Booklet (external PDF)

Older Adults and Older Adults with a Disability

Your emergency plan

• Create an emergency contact list with names and telephone numbers and keep a copy with you and in your emergency kit.
  • Write down the names and phone numbers of on-site doctors, nurses, social workers, etc. at your place of residence (if applicable) and the hours they are available.
• Familiarize yourself with all escape routes and the location of emergency doors/exits in your residence.
• Know the location of emergency buttons (many seniors’ buildings have emergency buttons located in bedrooms and washrooms with a direct link to 911 or the building’s superintendent).
• Prepare a personal support kit that includes any medication, medical supplies and assistive devices you would require during an evacuation. Inform your personal support network of where you store your personal support kit.
• Always wear your MedicAlert identification, if you have one.
• If you depend on electricity for a respirator or other essential medical equipment, talk to your personal support network about getting a back-up generator for your residence.

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Tips for helping older adults and persons with a disability during an emergency:

• Check on neighbours who may need assistance
• Be patient, listen actively, do not shout or yell
• Ask and make sure that they have all of their medication, devices and key contact information
• For persons with a hearing and/or visual impairment, draw an “x” on their back so they know you are there
• If you are helping with any equipment or assistive devices, be sure to follow the instructions properly
• Avoid lifting, support or assist in moving a person down the stairs, unless you are familiar with the proper technique

Hearing

Your emergency plan

• Ask neighbours or someone in your personal support network to help keep you informed of potential hazards.
• Keep a laminated Emergency Information Wallet Card (refer to the Emergency Wallet Card or call 311 for more information) and a CommuniCard^TM on you and in your household emergency kit that identifies you as a person with a hearing loss. The card helps to explain how to communicate with you.
• Keep a pencil and paper handy for written communication. Think about writing down things you need to say on paper and keeping it with you, for example: “I use American Sign Language (ASL) and need an ASL interpreter.”
• Keep hearing aids in a place where you can find them easily during an emergency.
• Put different alarms in places you spend a lot of time to help notify you if an emergency is happening.
• Install a smoke detection system that includes smoke alarms and accessory flashing strobe lights or shakers to gain your attention if the alarms sound.
• Test smoke alarms on a monthly basis by pushing the test button. Replace smoke alarm batteries every six months and whenever there is sign that the battery is low.
• Think about what help you would need if your personal support network was not available in an emergency and how you would communicate.
• Consider registering for the Text with 9-1-1 service at textwith911.ca (external link).

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Mobility

Your emergency plan

• Always plan alternate ways to get out of your home.
• If you live in a high-rise building, contact the building management to be added to the “Person’s Requiring Assistance List” and request a copy of the building’s Fire Safety Plan
• If you use a wheelchair, scooter, or other mobility device, request that an emergency evacuation chair be stored/ installed near a stairwell on the same floor on which you live so that your personal support network can readily use it to help you safely evacuate the building. Practice using the chair or other mobility device with members of your support network.
• In your personal assessment checklist, identify areas of your body that have reduced sensation and make a list of instructions so that these areas can be checked for injuries after an emergency by your personal support network, if you cannot do so yourself.
• Be prepared to give brief instructions regarding how to move you, should it be required.

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Vision

Your emergency plan

• Consider installing security lighting in each room of your home to help you safely move around, if you have reduced vision.
• Have a long cane readily available to maneuver around obstacles. There may be debris on the floor or furniture that may have shifted. Make sure you keep extra canes at home or other places you spend time.
• Store high-powered flashlights with wide beams and extra batteries where you can easily find them.
• Keep lights in working order so first responders can make their way around in your home in an emergency.
• Identify and mark all emergency supplies in advance with fluorescent tape, large print, or braille.
• Mark gas, water, and electric shutoff valves in your home, in advance with fluorescent tape, large print or braille.
• Familiarize yourself, in advance, with all escape routes and locations of emergency doors/exits on each floor of any building where you work, live and/or visit.

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Non-Visible Disabilities and Medical Needs

Your emergency plan

• Keep a list of your personal support network or anyone else who might be aware of your specific needs and may be able to assist you during an emergency.
• Make a list of your medications (name, dose, frequencies, and the name of the prescribing doctor) and medical supplies to store in your emergency kit.
  • Inform your personal support network of where you store your medication and personal support kit in the event of an evacuation.
• If you require medical treatment, discuss what you should do in the case of an emergency with your health care provider.
• Keep a pencil and paper or portable electronic recording device handy for any new instructions provided to you during an emergency.
• Consider wearing a MedicAlert bracelet or identification to help notify emergency responders about your disability.
• Request that a panic push button be installed in the building you work and/or live in, so that in an emergency you can notify others of your whereabouts and that you need help.

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Halton Region has a series of seven pamphlets for:

• Hearing
• High-rise safety
• Mobility
• Non-visible disabilities
• Older adults with disabilities
• Travel considerations
• Vision

Pamphlets can be mailed to your residence upon request; call 311 to order your pamphlets today. Pamphlets are also available for pick-up at Halton Regional Centre and various government and emergency responder facilities.

• Make sure you also have enough food and water stored at home for your pets for 72-hours.
• Identify a family member at home in charge of evacuating pets. In certain emergencies, you may need to evacuate without your pets.
• Evacuation Centres can only accept service animals with the proper documentation. To shelter with your pets, make plans to stay with family, friends or pet-friendly hotels. You can also bring your pets to a local kennel or veterinary clinic; check with your service provider. 

• Ensure you have food and water stored for 72-hours.
• Make sure service animals have their identification tags and have a copy of service animal documentation.
• Include your service animal in your home escape plan so they can safely join you when evacuating from your home.