With the arrival of spring comes the arrival of the potential for wildfires, floods or tornados, so Emergency Preparedness Week, which runs May 2-8, is the perfect time to get ready.
“Disasters often strike with little warning,” said Georgiana Matharu, Canadian Red Cross emergency management operations manager in Saskatchewan. “You may need to evacuate quickly and having an emergency kit on hand and ready to go can help you navigate the first 72 hours with a little peace of mind.”
Having a basic kit is good but personalizing it and updating it for COVID-19 protection is even better.
The essentials for a kit include non-perishable food, cash, a first aid kit, keys, medication, a change of clothes, water, and important documents, such as home insurance information.
Beyond these items, you should “personalize your kit to your specific needs,” says Matharu. “If you have children, include games to keep them occupied. Pack pet food if you have animals in the house. Keep an extra set of eyeglasses handy, and don’t forget chargers for electronic equipment.”
Tailoring an emergency kit to your specific needs can make all the difference in a time of crisis.
During the pandemic, it’s also important to update your emergency kit to include items to protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19.
