Your Responsibilities – Emergency Kit
It is important for the entire family to have an emergency kit at their disposal in the home. It must contain enough items and food to allow your family to survive during the first 72 hours of a disaster.
Remember to:
- keep your emergency kit in an easily accessible location;
- tell the members of your family about it and where it is;
- verify its contents each year;
- replace the water as needed, or any other article that was used.
Prepare your emergency kit
Your emergency kit should contain the following:
- drinking water – two litres per person per day, for at least three days;
- non-perishable food – enough for at least three days;
- manual can opener;
- crank radio and flashlight (no batteries required);
- first aid kit (adhesive bandages, sterile gauze pads, scissors, tweezers, safety pins, antiseptic, pain reliever);
- personal care items (toothbrushes, towels, soap, toilet paper, garbage bags);
- blankets;
- cash and coins;
- extra set of house and car keys;
- whistle – to signal your presence to rescuers;
- candles;
- lighter or matches;
- multi-purpose pocket knife;
- dust masks – to filter contaminated air;
- photocopies of important personal documents: IDs, insurance policies, prescriptions for medications and glasses, safety plan and list of emergency contacts.
You should also include the following articles as needed: medication, medical equipment, special food, infant formula, disposable diapers, baby bottles, etc.
If you have a pet, plan on bringing the following: pet carrier, collar with ID tag, leash, food, medication, etc.
Prepare an emergency kit for your vehicle
An emergency kit for your vehicle can also be useful if the car breaks down or during a winter storm.
Your emergency kit should contain the following:
- shovel, ice scraper and snow brush;
- sand or salt;
- traction mats;
- crank flashlight (no batteries required);
- first aid kit and manual, scissors to cut seat belts;
- flares or warning light;
- bottles of water and non-perishable food;
- booster cables;
- matches and candles in a metal can or a plastic bag (to stay warm, heat up a drink or for light);
- blankets;
- warm clothing and spare boots;
- road maps;
- 25¢ coins (at least two) or a calling card – if you don’t have a cell phone;
- joint report – order your copy from the Groupement des assureurs automobiles at 514 288-4321 or 1 877 288-4321 (toll free), or online at www.infoassurance.ca, under Documents.
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Prepare your emergency kit before travelling abroad
There are certain risks involved with travelling abroad. In case of a disaster, it can be very useful to have an emergency kit.
Your emergenvy kit should contain the following:
- photocopies of passports;
- photocopies of prescriptions with the generic equivalents;
- the telephone number and address of the Canadian government office in your country of destination;
- the number of the Canadian government’s Emergency Operations Centre for collect calls from outside Canada (613-996-8885);
- the email address of the Emergency Operations Centre (sos@international.gc.ca);
- copy of your travel insurance or your insurer’s contact information;
- international phone card;
- credit card;
- survival blankets;
- first aid items.
Do not forget to add medication(s) for all family members who are travelling with you.
Please note that your emergency kit must be with your registered luggage, not your carry-on luggage.
In addition to your emergency kit, be sure to take some water with you when you travel.
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