We cannot predict emergencies, the lists of which are endless. We can, however, take steps to prepare ourselves and our families to reduce the impact of the emergency. By preparing personal and family plans you can survive at least 72 hours after a disaster in your home, vehicle or workplace without help from emergency response services. During an emergency, you and your animal companion(s) may be on your own for several days. Preparing for your pets is just as important as preparing for the human members of your family.
Top 10 Hazards in BC
- Avalanches
- Earthquakes & Tsunamis
- Floods
- Hazardous Material Spill
- Landslides
- Pandemic & Disease Outbreak
- Power Outages
- Severe Weather
- Wildfires
Resources
- PreparedBC: Household Preparedness Guide
- PreparedBC: Guide for Apartments & Condos
- PreparedBC: Resources for People with Disabilities
- Red Cross: Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors
- PreparedBC: Prepare Your Pets Guide
- PreparedBC: Neighbourhood Preparedness Guide
- PreparedBC: Household Emergency Plan
Emergency Survival Kits
You can either purchase emergency survival kits or put a simple kit together yourself. Having separate grab-and-go kits for your workplace, vehicle and home will supplement your emergency plans. These kits should be readily available should you have to leave your premises or vehicle quickly.
A sample grab-and-go kit:
- Backpack
- Sturdy shoes
- Extra clothes
- Essential medications
- Spare eye glasses or contact lens
- Emergency contact numbers
- No-perishable food
- Water
- Toilet tissue
- First aid kit
- Flashlight/sticks
- Blanket
- Whistle
- Knife
- Waterproof matches
- Moistened towelettes
For your vehicle:
- Always keep your gas tank at least ΒΌ full
- Booster cables and tools
- Bottled water (at least 4 litres)
- Canned food with can opener, dried fruit, nuts
- Outdoor clothing and backpack
- Sleeping bag and blankets
- First aid
- Any essential medications
- Flashlights and spare batteries or glow sticks
- Waterproof matches, candles
- Money, especially coins
- Map of home region
- Toilette tissue, towelettes
- Pen, pencil, paper
For your home:
- Have an extra set of keys to the house, vehicles and safety deposit boxes
- Copies of your identification papers (license, birth certificates, health cards)
- Copies of all insurance policies and contact information
- Cash and banking information
- Flashlights with batteries
- AM/FM battery powered or hand-crank radio
- Required medication and prescription drug information
- Supplies and information for pets
- Items to keep children occupied
- Non-perishable food items
- Bottled water
- Contact list for family, friends, doctors and health care providers