Emergency Preparedness

Being prepared in case of emergencies is an important task in every household. Emergency Preparedness Week is the first week in May. Although preparedness should be a year-round focus, Emergency Preparedness Week is a unique opportunity to strengthen the call to action to become more prepared.

Are you prepared? Here are a few tips to follow:

• Start a conversation. Talking about emergencies often leads to action and can be the first step in making your emergency plan.
• Know the risks. Know your risk to the hazards in your community so you can plan for them.
• Make a plan. Disasters often cause confusion and distress. An emergency plan can help you cope with the stress and navigate the situation better. Create and emergency plan that works for you and your family.
• Get informed. Find information by signing up to your local emergency warning system and through identification of trusted sources of information before an emergency occurs. Consider downloading the Alberta Emergency Alert app.
• Build a kit and gather supplies. An emergency kit should include water, non-perishable snacks, and a battery or crank-powered radio in case of power outages. Your goal will be to have enough supplies to keep you safe, warm, and comfortable.
• Create financial resilience. Being financially prepared is about more than just having money in the bank. Having the right insurance for your property and belongings can reduce financial hardship and your recovery time. Taking photos of important items in your home can also help them to be replaced (if they can be).
• Make connections. Building relationships with the people around you can reduce stress and create community resilience. Neighbours are often nearby when an emergency, disaster, or unexpected situations occur. Knowing your neighbours makes it easier to ask for help when you need it, or offer help to those who need it most.

You can find more resources (in multiple languages) at the Alberta Emergency Management Agency website.