Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Communications Plan

Local phone lines may be impacted during an emergency. Ensure you have access to alternatives such as cell phone, text message, social media or email, and keep a list of emergency contacts in your emergency preparedness kit.  

Evacuation Plan

You should select two safe locations you could go to in the event that you're asked to evacuate your home. One should be near your home and the other should be further away. Make sure you plan your routes as well.

Safety in your home

Prepare an evacuation route for your home and review it with all family members. Keep a list of emergency numbers handy, and teach your children to dial 9-1-1 in case of an emergency. Follow general household fire safety rules, and make sure you know how to turn off your home utilities including water, hydro and natural gas. 

Safety beyond your home

Take the time to learn about the emergency plans at your workplace and at your child's school or daycare. Check in with your neighbours to see if any of them would need assistance in the event of an emergency.

Planning for medical needs and disabilities

If anyone in your household has a medical condition or disability, make sure your plan reflects this. You may want to consider including copies of medical history, prescription/medication details and health care provider information in your emergency kit.

When your plan is ready

Discuss your plan with close contacts and store your plan in an easy-to-access area that everyone in your home knows about. Be sure to review your plan on a yearly basis, and make sure to replenish your emergency kit with new supplies at the same time.

You should have an emergency kit that includes everything you and your household would need to take care of yourselves for at least three days following an emergency. If you don't have the means to secure and store all of these items, connect with your neighbours to figure out how you can support each other.

Essential Items

• food (non-perishable and easy-to-prepare items, enough for three days) and a manual can opener 
• bottled or bagged water (4 litres per person for each day) and backup water purification tablets 
• medication(s) 
• toilet paper and other personal items such as soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. 
• personal protective equipment (PPE) such as medical masks and respirators 
• back up chargers and power banks for cell phone or mobile device 
• cash in small bills 
• portable light source such as a flashlight, headlamp or glow stick 
• radio (crank or battery-run) 
• extra batteries 
• first-aid kit 
• candles and matches/lighter 
• hand sanitizer or moist towelettes 
• important papers such as a copy of your emergency plan, identification, contact lists, copies of prescriptions, etc. 
• extra car and house keys 
• whistle (to attract attention, if needed) 
• zip-lock bag (to keep things dry) 
• garbage bags and duct tape

Additional Considerations

• items for babies and small children such as diapers, formula, bottles, baby food, etc.
• comfort and sentimental items such as photos of loved ones, irreplaceable items, etc. 
• prescription medication 
• medical supplies, equipment and copies of care/support plans including contact information for doctors or specialists 
• extra pair of glasses or contact lenses and solution (if applicable) 
• pet supplies
• any other items specific to your household’s needs

Evacuation Supplies

• seasonal clothes, shoes and accessories such as hats, gloves, etc.
• sleeping bags or blankets
• lightweight plates and utensils
• survival multi-tool that includes a screwdriver, pocketknife and other basic tools
• local map with your safe meeting places identified
• playing cards, travel games and other small activities
• pen or pencil and a small paper/notepad

Local news channels are often your best sources of information during an emergency. Keep a portable, battery-operated or crank radio in your emergency kit in case of power outages.

Alert Ready in Ontario

Alert Ready is part of a national service designed to deliver critical and potentially life-saving alert messages.

AlertReady.ca

Emergency Management Ontario

Follow Emergency Management Ontario on Twitter for more preparedness tips and information.

@OntarioWarnings

Thunderstorms can bring lightning, heavy rain, hail, strong winds and tornadoes. Be aware of weather conditions and warnings, seek shelter immediately if a warning has been issued or you believe one could occur. 

If you are indoors: 

• Stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors — strong winds and large hailstones can shatter them. 
• Avoid running water in your house — lightning can enter through pipes and plumbing. 
•  Be prepared to seek shelter in a basement or interior room on the lowest level if conditions worsen. 

If you are outdoors: 

• If you hear thunder, then lightning is close enough to be dangerous — take shelter in an enclosed building or metal-topped vehicle.
• Avoid water, high ground, isolated trees, power lines and picnic shelters — small, open structures don't protect you from lightning. 
• If there’s no shelter, go to a low-lying area away from tall, isolated objects — crouch down and put your feet together — do not lie down. 

Prepare now 

• Have a safe room in your home where everyone gathers during a storm — away from windows, skylights and glass doors. 
• If there’s a tornado, gather in a basement, storm cellar or interior room on the lowest floor. 
• Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage. 
• Bring inside or tie-down garbage cans and lawn furniture. 
• Use surge protectors — a safety electrical plug that will shut off the power if lightning strikes to prevent damage to your computer and other household items. 

Learn more on the Province of Ontario's website.

Flooding in Ontario is typically caused by rapidly-melting snow, ice jams, high lake levels or storm surges, or heavy rains and thunderstorms. Floods can happen at any time of year, in both urban and rural areas.

Before a flood

• Make an emergency plan and kit
• Know where to find local news and emergency information
• Take steps to prevent flooding in your home such as extending downspouts to move water away from the building, shovelling snow away from your home’s foundation, weather sealing basement windows and doors, Keeping gutters and nearby storm drains clear of debris.
• Take steps to reduce flood damage such as storing personal belongings and important documents in watertight containers on upper shelves, securing oil tanks or fuel sources to prevent movement during floods, using flood resistant drywall and exterior doors to minimize water damage, installing electrical outlets higher on the walls of your ground floor, lifting basement appliances off the ground with wood or cement blocks, and making sure basement drains are not blocked.
• Check with your insurance provider to see if you have overland flood insurance.

During a flood

• If you are told to evacuate by emergency officials, evacuate immediately - make sure necessary personal items like medications and important documents are secured and easily accessible in case you need to evacuate.
• Disconnect electrical appliances — do not touch electrical equipment or turn off appliances if they are wet or standing in water.
• Move small appliances and furniture to upper floors or areas unlikely to be flooded.
• Do not eat food that has come in contact with flood water.
• Ensure your cellphone is charged (safely) — it may be your only means of communication during an evacuation.
• Do not use taps, showers and toilets if your septic tank or the septic tank disposal field is under water.
• Remove toxic substances such as pesticides and insecticides from the flood area to prevent them from spilling.
• Do not stay in the area if your home's electricity is on
• follow your emergency plan and move to a safe place on higher ground
• Avoid travelling on roads that are near water, bridges, ravines, embankments, low laying areas and any bodies of water.
• Do not drive through, stand or walk in any moving water.
• If you are in your car and it begins to flood, get out of the car immediately and find higher ground.
• Account for all members of your household, keeping children and pets away from flood water.

After a flood

• Check with your local municipality for any pertinent information to keep you and your family safe.
• Do not enter a building where the walls or floors are visibly buckled.
• Do not use flooded appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes or fuse breaker panels until they have been checked by your local authority.
• Report any broken utility lines to the appropriate authorities.
• If your property has been damaged, contact your insurance company for claims information before you clean up.

Learn more on the Province of Ontario's website.

In the event of a sever winter storm, you should be prepared to do the following:

• Avoid unnecessary travel.
• Wear layers of lightweight clothing, mittens and a hat that covers your ears.
• Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry.
• Regularly check for frostbite. Signs include numbness or white areas on your face and body.
• Avoid overexertion when completing outdoor tasks such as shovelling snow.
• Bring pets inside and move livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.

Learn more on the Province of Ontario's website.

• Listen to the weather forecast, including wind chill warnings before going outside. 
• Plan ahead and develop a cold weather safety plan to address safety concerns when it is very cold, or when the wind chill is significant. 
• Dress in warm layers with a wind-resistant outer layer and warm, waterproof footwear. Wear a hat, mittens or insulated gloves and a scarf, neck tube or facemask to cover as much exposed skin as possible. 
• Seek shelter, get out of the wind, and limit the time you spend outside. 
• Stay dry.
• Keep active by walking or running to generate body heat. 
• Be aware of signs of hypothermia and frostbite and check on people more susceptible to the cold, including children and elderly relatives or neighbours. 

Hypothermia

• Being cold over a prolonged period of time can cause a drop in body temperature
• Shivering, confusion and loss of muscular control (e.g., difficulty walking) can occur.
• It can progress to a life-threatening condition where shivering stops or the person loses consciousness. Cardiac arrest may occur.

What to do:

• Get medical attention immediately.
• Lay the person down and avoid rough handling, particularly if the person is unconscious.
• Get the person indoors.
• Gently remove wet clothing.
• Warm the person gradually and slowly, using available sources of heat

Frostbite

• A more severe condition, where both the skin and the underlying tissue (fat, muscle, bone) are frozen.
• Skin appears white and waxy and is hard to the touch.
• No sensation - the area is numb or tingling.

What to do:

• Frostbite can be serious, and can result in amputation. Get medical help!
• Do not rub or massage the area.
• Do not warm the area until you can ensure it will stay warm.
• Warm the area gradually; use body heat, or warm water (40°C to 42°C). Avoid direct heat which can burn the skin.

Heat-related illnesses can be identified by symptoms including heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Other health problems can also occur with prolonged exposure to elevated heats, especially for those with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. 

Individuals at high risk 

During an extreme heat event, everyone is at risk, but some groups are more vulnerable than others including: 

• Infants and young children. 
• Older adults. 
• People who live alone. 
• People with chronic medical conditions, mental illnesses and on certain types of medications. 
• People experiencing homelessness, underhoused, or other challenges in accessing cool spaces. 
• People with limited mobility. 
• Outdoor workers and other people who exercise vigorously outdoors. 
• People who work in places where heat is emitted through industrial processes. 

Preventing heat illnesses

Be aware and prepared to handle an extreme heat event. If you have any symptoms such as dizziness, weakness or overheating you should: 

• Immediately move to a cool place. 
• Rest by sitting or lying down. 
• Drink water. 

Prepare now 

• Consider having a water supply ready, as well as ice to keep your water cold. 
• If possible, have an air conditioner in your home, or know where you can access air-conditioned spaces for cooling. 
• Identify a cooler space in your home and prepare it so you can sleep there at night, even if it is not your bedroom. 
• Know the symptoms of heat-related illness. 
• Know where the cooling centres are in your community. 
• Check in on individuals who may be more susceptible to heat, preferably twice a day. 
• Watch local weather forecasts and alerts.

Learn more on the Province of Ontario's website.