Emergency Preparedness week shares tips and tools to prepare for any emergency

May 3-9 is Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada: a national effort that encourages all Canadians to take concrete actions to be ready to protect themselves, their families and their homes during emergencies. 

This week, take a moment to review your emergency plans and tools. Some great places to start are:  

1. Visit the City of Kitchener’s drop-in event to learn about emergency preparedness and get some tools to help you prepare:
   • Date: Tuesday, May 5
   • Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
   • Location: Kitchener City Hall
2. Make or review your emergency plan including:
   • home fire evacuation plan
   • location of emergency tools in your home
   • meet-up spot if your household gets separated in an emergency
   • how to contact loved ones if an emergency occurs while you’re away from home
3. Review or build an emergency kit with basic supplies so you’re prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours during an emergency. This should include:
   • water (4L per person per day) 
   • non-perishable food 
   • flashlight and extra batteries 
   • first-aid supplies 
   • important documents 
   • radio (battery/crank/solar) 
   • medications and personal items 
   • extra supplies for pets and kids
4. Sign up for AlertWR to be notified about local emergencies via text, phone call or email.
5. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, replace batteries if they’re over six months old, and replace expired units. 

By taking a few simple steps, everyone can be better prepared to face a range of emergencies – anytime, anywhere.  

Find more tips and tools at Kitchener.ca/EmergencyPlanning or follow the City of Kitchener’s Instagram account. 

For more information on emergency preparedness across the region and other local events during Emergency Preparedness Week, visit the Region of Waterloo’s website.