In any emergency, first responders will be dealing with those most affected. All residents need to be prepared to take care of themselves and their families for a minimum of 72 hours. Could you do that if you need to? Preparing now could make all the difference in keeping you, your loved ones, and your property safe.
Make an Emergency Plan
Creating a plan will ensure that you and your family members know what to do and who to call in an emergency. To start making your plan:
- Collect health and medication information for your family.
- Plan evacuation routes from your home and neighborhood.
- Designate a safe meeting place to reunite with family or roommates.
- Designate someone to pick up children if you be unavailable.
- Designate a safe place for your pet to stay. (Remember, some shelters and comfort centres do not allow pets).
- Print insurance documents, important phone numbers, etc. Pick a safe place to store them.
- Make a list of helpful contacts close by and out of town.
Watch this helpful video from the Government of Canada for more details on creating your household emergency plan:
Get a 72-Hour Emergency Kit
In an emergency, responders must assist those in immediate danger first. A 72-hour kit holds basic supplies to support you and your family in an emergency for 3 days. Basic items to include in your kit include:
- Spare medications
- Non-perishable food items
- Water (2L per person per day)
- Manual Can Opener
- Charge cables for cell phones/tablets
- Written contact information (in case your phone dies)
- Wind-up or battery powered flashlight
- Extra batteries for flashlight
- First Aid Kit
- Extra car and house keys
- Cash including change
- Important family documents (identification, insurance, and banking details)
- A copy of your household emergency plan
- Pet food (if applicable)
You should check your household’s 72-hour emergency kit at least once per year to ensure food and medications are not expired and to ensure your kit is complete and ready.
Watch this helpful video from the Government of Canada for more details on what you should include in your emergency kit:
Plan ahead
To prepare for an emergency, there are many ways to plan ahead and ensure that you are as prepared as possible. This may include but is not limited to:
- Monitoring social media and websites from the City of Fredericton and the Province of New Brunswick to stay informed on what’s happening, and what we need you to do
- Fueling your vehicle
- Charging all electronic communication devices
- Following the weather forecast and news alerts
- If you’re on a well, fill your bathtub and water pitchers with water
- Withdraw some cash if widespread power outages are expected