What the Alberta Storm Can Remind Us About Emergency Preparation at Home
The summer snow storm in Alberta on September 10th, 2014 was a harsh reminder that you can never completely predict the weather. In only a few hours Calgary residents not only saw snow on a summer day, they also experienced downed trees, damage to their neighborhood, and power outages that affected approximately 30,000 people.
“I was shocked at the damage,” said Calgary mayor Mayor Naheed Nenshi. In fact, the events even prompted the city to open its emergency operations centre for the first time since the memorable flooding in Alberta that took place last year.
When the weather is unpredictable, it serves as a reminder that households need to be prepared for any and all types of emergency situations, especially when it comes to weather related emergencies.
Remember that during an emergency situation, especially one that impacts a large area, it can take up to 72 hours before emergency crews can reach you. Therefore, you need to have enough supplies in your home to withstand the wait.
3 Core Tips for Emergency Preparedness
There are three main ways that Canadians can put themselves in a better position to be prepared for and deal with emergency situations if they arise at home. They are:
- Know the risks: Education is the key to successfully dealing with any situation. Educate your family about the risks that exist in your area. Risks will vary based on where you live, and you need to be fully aware of things that could damage your home and impact your life.
- Make a plan: Having an emergency plan allows you to better deal with emergency situations. Considering it only takes about 30 minutes to create, having an emergency plan can be a lifesaver. Every Canadian home needs to have an emergency plan. Do you have one?
- Get an emergency kit: An emergency kit is very important. Don’t assume you have everything you need at home to deal with an emergency situation. You may not have time or be in a situation to collect everything at the time of the emergency. Have everything together in one easily accessible place.
Learn More About Emergency Preparation
Public Safety Canada has an excellent resource to help households plan for an emergency situations. Your Emergency Preparedness Guide teaches you how to become better prepared for a wide variety of emergencies and emergency situations. Definitely worth the read!