INFORMATION BULLETIN

2012JAG0074-000630 May 8, 2012

Ministry of Justice

 

Building an Emergency Kit

 

VICTORIA – Running May 6-12, Emergency Preparedness Week is an annual event that gives the Province the opportunity to remind families how to prepare for being caught in an emergency or a disaster. 

 

British Columbians know that the province experiences a wide range of events like wildfires, earthquakes, flooding and severe weather. Preparing a 72-hour emergency kit is easy to do, can be done at a low cost, and is one of the most important things a family can do to ensure their well-being in the event of an emergency.

 

What you need in a basic home emergency kit:

 

·         Water – two litres of water per person per day (include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order).

·         Food – canned food, energy bars and dried foods that will not spoil (remember to replace the food and water once a year).

·         Manual can opener.

·         Flashlight and batteries.

·         Battery powered or wind–up radio (and extra batteries).

·         First aid kit.

·         Special needs items – prescription medications, infant formula or equipment for people with disabilities.

·         Extra keys for your car and house.

·         Cash – include smaller bills, such as $10 bills (travellers’ cheques are also useful) and change for payphones.

·         Emergency plan – include a copy of it and ensure it contains in-town and out-of-town contact information.

·         A copy of important documents – birth certificate, passport, BC CareCard, insurance, photos of family members.

·         Pet food.

 

Some recommended items:

 

·         A change of clothing and footwear for each household member.

·         Sleeping bag or warm (foil) blanket for each household member.

·         A whistle (in case you need to attract attention).

·         Garbage bags for personal sanitation.

·         Toilet paper and other personal care supplies.

·         Safety gloves.

·         Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, fasteners, work gloves).

·         Small fuel-driven stove and fuel (follow manufacturer's directions and store properly).

·         Two additional litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning.

 

In addition to the above home kit, it’s also important to have a ‘Grab & Go Kit’ that is light and portable in case you have to leave your home with little or no notice. Suggested items for this kit can be found here: http://www.pep.bc.ca/hazard_preparedness/personal_preparedness.html

 

Disaster preparedness kits can be purchased from the Canadian Red Cross by going to their website: www.redcross.ca

 

To learn more about how you can be prepared for a disaster, visit the Emergency Management BC website at: www.pep.bc.ca

and the Public Safety Canada website at: www.getprepared.gc.ca

 

 

Contact:

Ministry of Justice

Government Communications and Public Engagement

250 356-6961

 

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect