This week is Emergency Preparedness (EP) Week, and as COVID-19 restrictions keep you indoors more than normal, now is a great time to build your family’s 72 Hour Emergency kit. Emergency Preparedness week is a national week supported by Public Safety Canada to remind all Canadians to take action to ensure you are prepared during an emergency. This year’s theme for EP week is: Be Ready for Anything.

Each household should have an emergency kit with enough supplies to sustain you and your family for at least 72 hours. Emergencies, such as power outages, extreme weather or even major transportation accidents happen quickly and usually with no warning. Depending on the impact of the emergency, it could take up to 72 hours for emergency responders to reach you.

City of Mississauga’s Office of Emergency Management is teaching residents how to make an emergency kit  on the City’s website. There are three easy steps – Plan, Build and Be Informed. If you already have an emergency kit, now is a good time to check expiry dates on food, medication and make sure the batteries still work.

Supplies will vary based on your household but you’ll need to make sure you have food, water, batteries, medication and first-aid materials. Your kit needs to support your family – children, pets or older adults need additional supplies. Children’s needs change often so make sure you’re updating your EP kit often if you have a growing family.  It’s also a good idea to include some non-electronic family entertainment like puzzles or board games. Your kit should not include perishable foods or things that require power or electricity.

We encourage all residents to build an emergency preparedness kit, learn more about emergencies that our community faces and where to get support if you need it. Navigating a global pandemic like COVID-19 has reminded us how important it is to Be Ready for Anything.