It’s Emergency Preparedness Week
May 3 – 9, 2015
Ask yourself:
- Would you know what to do in an emergency?
- Could you take care of yourself and your family for the first 72 hours?
- Do you have an emergency plan and kit?
If you didn’t answer “YES” to all three questions please read on…
Emergency Preparedness (EP) Week (May 3-9, 2015) is a national awareness initiative that has taken place annually since 1996.
EP Week encourages Canadians to take three simple steps to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies:
- Know the risks – Although the consequences of disasters can be similar, knowing the risks specific to our community and our region can help you better prepare.
- Make a plan – It will help you and your family know what to do
- Get an emergency kit – During an emergency, we will all need some basic supplies. We may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in an emergency.
Natural disasters may be beyond our control, but there are ways to reduce the risk and the impact of whatever emergency we might face - whether natural, technological, or human caused.
This special week is a national effort of provincial and territorial emergency management organizations, and Public Safety Canada to encourage Canadians to be prepared to cope on their own for at least the first 72 hours of an emergency while rescue workers help those in urgent need.
Preparedness goes a long way to help people cope better - both during and after a major disaster. Get an emergency kit now - it can make a world of difference.
Visit http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/ or the Waterloo Region’s site at http://www.wrem.ca/en/ for helpful resources to help you and your family prepare for all types of emergencies.