Emergency Preparedness

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In the event of an emergency, it may take time for emergency workers to get to you. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours.

Learn how to be prepared for an emergency by reviewing the information below.

Know the Risks

Knowing the risks in our community can help you prepare. Potential risks include:

Severe weather and other meteorological events
Power outages
Major accidents
Infrastructure failures
Disease outbreaks
Intentional acts

Make a Plan

An emergency plan will help you and your family know what to do in case of an emergency. It only takes 20 minutes to complete a personalized plan online. You can then print it out. Most of this information can be filled out on your own. You may need to get some information from the municipality.

To fill out your home emergency plan, you will need to think about:

Safe exits from your home and neighbourhood
Meeting places to reunite with family or roommates
Designated person to pick up children should you be unavailable
Contact persons nearby and out of town
Special health needs
Place for your pet to stay
Risks in your community
Location of you fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, gas valve and floor drain

Keep this document in an easy to find, easy to remember place (for example, with your emergency kit). Photocopy this plan and keep it in your car and/or at your work.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Everyone should be prepared to take care of themselves and their families for up to 72 hours in the event of an emergency or disaster. Ensure you are ready by preparing an emergency kit.

food (non-perishable and easy-to-prepare items, enough for three days) and a manual can opener
bottled or bagged water (4 litres per person for each day) and backup water purification tablets
medication(s)
toilet paper and other personal items such as soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
personal protective equipment (PPE) such as medical masks and respirators
back up chargers and power banks for cell phone or mobile device
cash in small bills
portable light source such as a flashlight, headlamp or glow stick
radio (crank or battery-run)
extra batteries
first-aid kit
candles and matches/lighter
hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
important papers such as a copy of your emergency plan, identification, contact lists, copies of prescriptions, etc.
extra car and house keys
whistle (to attract attention, if needed)
zip-lock bag (to keep things dry)
garbage bags and duct tape

Stay Informed

It is important to stay informed during an emergency. There are many ways to receive emergency information including:

Mail and hand-delivered information
Telephone or email
Website and social media
Local television stations
Local radio stations
Members of your community

Be sure to share any emergency information you receive with your friends, neighbours, and family.

Power Outages

Hydro One also has a number of innovative outage tools available for customers to report power outages and easily access updates when and how they want including outage text alerts. When an outage occurs, customers can report it by texting 92887 (WATTS), or by using the company's outage map and app, or calling 1-800-434-1235.

Asphodel-Norwood Emergency Awareness Guide

Is your family prepared for an emergency event?

The Township of Asphodel-Norwood Emergency Awareness Guide can help provide you with the information you need to make a plan and be better prepared. Be sure to check the expiry date of the contents in your Emergency Survival Kit twice a year.

In an emergency, your family may not be together, or you may be asked to evacuate your home. Thinking about what you would do in different situations and preparing a plan with every member of your family is the first step to being prepared.

Resources