Home Escape Plan

Prepare for emergencies before they happen, you'll be better able to respond when the unexpected happens. Prepare for your own safety and the safety of your family. Begin by learning about the potential risks and hazards in your community and then make sure everyone in your family knows what to do before, during and after disaster strikes.

Prepare to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours during an emergency. This not only helps you and your family, but it also helps the community's response teams as they work to respond to emergency situations. 
Having a home safety action plan and home fire escape plan in place can help keep you and your family safe in the event of an emergency. 

Here are some important tips to keep in mind during an emergency:

• Tune into a local radio station and listen for information and instructions from emergency officials. (Local radio stations service the Lambton County area include 1070 AM CHOK, 103.9 FM CHOK, 99.9 FOX FM and K106.3 FM)
• Do as emergency officials advise and stay away from the disaster scene. 
• Be prepared to relocate if you are advised to do so and follow all instructions carefully.
• Visit a news media, municipal or other official website (i.e. Ontario 211) for information and instructions.
• Do not call 9-1-1 unless you or someone else needs emergency police, fire, or medical assistance.  Do not call 9-1-1 looking for information.
• Do not use your telephone (either land-line or cellular) unless it is absolutely necessary (i.e. you are calling for assistance or checking on the welfare of someone who might be in trouble). If telephone networks are overwhelmed, emergency responders and others in need of assistance might not be able to communicate with one another.
• Keep your 72-Hour Emergency Supplies Kit handy when you have to take shelter (i.e. during a Tornado Warning).

One of the best ways you can prepare for emergencies is to have enough supplies at home to feed and take care of you and your family for at least three days. This is called a 72-Hour Emergency Supplies Kit.

To prepare for an emergency, assemble a kit and store the items in an easy-to-carry container such as a duffel bag or plastic storage bin. Store your kit in an accessible location such as a closet shelf on the main floor. 

Your Emergency Supplies Kit should have enough food, water and basic needs that will keep your household self-sufficient for at least three days, including:

• Special needs items for any member of your household (i.e. baby formula, diapers, prescription medication etc.)
• First-aid supplies (bandages, adhesive tape, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic towelettes, cleansing agent or soap, cold pack, eyewash solution, cotton swabs, disposable gloves, gauze pads, hydrogen peroxide, lip balm etc.)
• A change of clothing for each household member (footwear as well)
• Candles and matches or lighter
• A sleeping bag or bedroll for each household member (in case you have to evacuate)
• Flashlight and batteries
• Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
• Duct tape
• Non-perishable food (this should be replaced every year)
• Bottled water
• Whistle (in case you need to attract someone's attention)
• Playing cards or games
• Toilet paper and other personal care supplies
• Extra car and house keys
• Extra cash (change for vending machines etc.)
• Copies of important family documents (birth certificates, passports and licences)

Copies of essential documents should also be kept in a safe location outside your home, in a safe deposit box or the home of a friend or family member who lives out of town.

Your 72-Hour Emergency Supplies Kit could prove to be very useful if electricity is lost or weather keeps you from leaving your home. Bring your kit if you are advised to evacuate, so include any other items you think you might need. Being organized and having essential and comfort items with you will lessen the stress of evacuating.

Past emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina have shown that families with pets need to plan how they will take care of them during a crisis. If time and safety permit, take your pet with you! Pets should not be left behind during an evacuation because they could be lost, injured or even killed as a result of the emergency.

If it is absolutely not possible to take your pet when you evacuate, follow these guidelines:

• Post a highly visible sign in a window to let rescue workers know how many pets were left behind.
• Leave plenty of water in a large, open container which cannot be tipped over.
• Leave dry food in timed feeders to prevent your pet from eating a week's worth of food in one day (check local pet stores).