It Is Always A Good Idea To Be Prepared
June 20, 2008
The recent television images of flooding in New Brunswick bring home once again how important it is to be prepared for disaster before it strikes. Dealing with an emergency is a lot easier if that situation has been anticipated and prepared for.National Emergency Preparedness Week is just past, but it is not too late for you and your family to prepare for the unexpected. You can get a lot of useful information from the Public Safety Canada’s website: www.getprepared.ca.
The first task is to know the risks. Edmonton residents thave no reason to prepare for a tsunami – the city is just too far from the ocean. But there is a risk here of tornadoes, or of severe weather conditions, for example, that could cause power outages. What do you do if the electricity is off for a week?
Once you know the risks, you need an emergency plan, something that every Canadian household should have. The plan should include, among other things, emergency exits from your home, a designated meeting place should you become separated from family or roommates, and include a diagram showing the location of your fire extinguisher, electrical box, water valve, gas valve and floor drain. Then, if an emergency happens you won’t have to rely on your memory when you’re under stress.
It is also important to have an emergency kit – both for your home and your vehicle. A basic emergency kit could contain (but not be limited to) bottled water, some canned food (and a manual can opener), first aid supplies, a flashlight and batteries and a battery powered radio. Pack your kit in something easy to carry, such as a backpack, in case you need to change locations quickly.
Being prepared for potential emergencies makes good sense to me. What do you think?