Get Prepared And Be Ready With These Emergency Preparedness Tips

Have you ever had the Hydro flicker out for a few minutes and you feel the panic set in? If your hometown went into a state of Emergency would you be prepared? Keep reading for Emergency Preparedness Tips that will have you ready to take on the storm.

Here’s a story I can giggle about now but in the moment, not so much. I came home from volunteering from an outdoor educational school trip with a grade three class; I had a group of five very busy boys. It poured rain all day, and we were outside in the forest, need I say more?

Once the school bus arrived back at the school, I raced home cold, wet and tired all I wanted was a hot shower and warm tea. Dropped everything at the front door to headed to the shower. Turned to water on, rinsed and squeezed out soap when I lost my water. WHAT?

In a cold, wet panic I call my husband, what’s up the water isn’t working, and why aren’t my lights working? Long story to say I had no clue what to do. A thousand questions went through my mind. What’s for dinner? How long? How will I get this soap off my body?

We take our conveniences for granted, they are always there when we need them, or so we hope. Every time our Hydro flickers I go on a blind hunt looking for the flashlights that have gone missing to make animal shadows at bedtime (kids!)

What if an emergency took place, a natural disaster, would you be prepared then?

Emergency Preparedness is the key to your success rate.

Before Duracell reached out to me about the upcoming Emergency Preparedness Week, I wasn’t thinking much about the what ifs, although I should have been.

Canada saw many natural disasters and emergency situations in 2016, and although a recent survey conducted by Duracell found that almost half the population is concerned about experiencing this phenomenon in the future, the country remains woefully unprepared for an emergency.  
 
The recent Duracell survey also found that while 51% of Canadians feel prepared to handle a situation of urgency, only 34% of Canadians report having an emergency kit at home to sustain themselves for 72 hours until help arrives.  

People who are prepared to support themselves for at least 72 hours after a disaster make it easier for first responders to help those who urgently need it – and this has a significant impact not only on their survival but the survival of friends and neighbors.

[bctt tweet=””By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin #EPWeek #TrustIsPower” username=”inRdream”]

Build an Emergency Kit

Focus on the essentials and enough to get you and your family through 72 hours. Be sure to check your emergency kits regularly for expire dates and add new additional medications.

• Drinking Water – two liters of water per person per day.
• Food that won’t spoil, such as canned food, energy bars, and dried foods.
• Manual can opener
• Battery-powered flashlight
• Battery-powered radio
• Extra Duracell batteries
• Hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and garbage bags
• Candles and matches or lighter (place in container with a lid)
• Make an Emergency Plan — include a copy of your kit
• Emergency phone numbers, as well as, important family documents such as identification, house insurance…etc.
• First aid kit
• Whistle
• Duct tape
• Cash

Include these additional items to your Emergency Kit: 

• Two additional liters of water per day for cooking and cleaning
• Change of clothing for each household member
• Medications
• Sleeping bag or warm blankets
• Toiletries and personal hygiene items
• Mobile phone charger
• Activities for children like books, puzzles or toys
• Utensils, plates, and cups
• Household chlorine bleach or water purifying tablets
• Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, pocket knife)
• Pet food and supplies
• Infant formula, baby food, and supplies

May 7-13, 2017 is Emergency Preparedness Week, and this year, Duracell and the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) have teamed to remind us Canadians that everyone needs to be prepared in an emergency.

Join the conversation using these hashtags – #EPWeek #TrustIsPower | Duracell on Facebook | Duracell on Twitter

Are you prepared for the what ifs?

Thanks for reading In R Dream!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored. However, all views and or experiences are always that of our own.