Are You Ready for the Storm?

By Darlene Oakley HERWriter

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Even though temperatures in typically colder parts of the continent are now warming up, winter’s not over yet.

And then there are the looming hurricane and tornado seasons to worry about.

Now is the time to make preparations that will keep your family safe and provided for during nature’s fury, as well as during its aftermath.

Storm Survival Tip: Prepare an Emergency Plan

This plan should include:

• What you need to do

• Where to pick up the kids

• Where you can meet up with family members if you are separated

• Knowing where emergency shelters are

• How you'll get in contact with family members, take care of older loved ones, etc.

The Government of Canada has a short video about making an emergency plan and offers a quick and easy template to fill in and print off.

Storm Survival Tip: Stock your Emergency Kit

Ensure that your storm survival emergency kit is well-stocked and that water, dried food, and batteries are replaced every year.

Your emergency kit should be easy to carry and still contain all the things you may need for up to 72 hours. Some companies even sell ready-to-go emergency kits, but you will need to make sure you take things specific to your family, particularly if you have young children.

Your survival kit should include:

• List of emergency numbers, not just 911

• Water – 2 liters per person per day plus 2 L per person per day for cooking and cleaning

• Food – non-perishables including energy bars, canned food and dried food and a manual can opener

• Battery-powered or wind-up flashlights and radios, extra batteries

• Cell phone and solar-powered charger

• First Aid kit

• Prescription medications, infant formula, diapers and equipment for people with disabilities

• Extra keys for your car and house

• Cash – small bills and change or prepaid phone cards for payphones

• Written emergency plan

• Candles/matches/lighter and burn-proof containers or trays

• Sleeping bag(s)/warm blanket(s) for each household member

• Toiletries

• Hand sanitizer

• Toilet paper

• Utensils

• Garbage bags

• Household chlorine bleach or water purifying tablets

• Basic tools – hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, pocket knife

• Small fuel-operated stove and fuel

• Whistle

• Duct tape

It would also be a good idea to have in a secure place any life or property/content insurance, or bank or legal documents that may be required to settle accounts or claims afterwards.

Sources:

1) Before a severe storm. Government of Canada. Web. Feb 25, 2013.
http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/hzd/svrstrms-bfr-eng.aspx

2) During an emergency. Government of Canada. Web. Feb 25, 2013.
http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/hzd/drng-eng.aspx

3) Your Emergency Plan. Government of Canada. Web. Feb 25, 2013.
http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/plns/index-eng.aspx

4) Basic emergency kit. Government of Canada. Web. Feb 25, 2013.
http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/kts/bsc-kt-eng.aspx

5) Additional emergency supplies. Web. Feb 25, 2013.
http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/kts/ddtnl-eng.aspx

6) Make an emergency kit. City of Vancouver. Web. Feb 25, 2013.
http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/make-an-emergency-kit.aspx

Reviewed February 26, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.