Make your emergency plan and replenish your 72-hour kit

Thu, 28 Apr 2022

What do whistles, scissors and batteries all have in common? They all go in an emergency kit along with other essential items that families can rely on during thunderstorms, power outages, tornadoes and other extreme events. 

Coinciding with Emergency Preparedness Week, May 1-7, 2022, the Oakville Fire Department is encouraging residents to learn about potential risks in their community, make an emergency plan, and prepare or replenish a 72-hour kit. These actions can go a long way in protecting lives.

Oakville Fire staff will engage with the community to raise awareness and answer questions on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at Oakville Place mall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can participate in the on-site lucky draw to win a 72-hour emergency kit. 

Key highlights    

• Risks vary by season (flooding, snow and ice storms, heat waves) or could be one-off incidents such as a train derailment, hazardous materials spill, etc. Evacuation or shelter-in-place instructions could vary depending on the incident.
• Individuals, families and businesses should prepare their emergency plans; which, includes identifying at least two ways to exit during a fire or other incidents. It takes 15-20 minutes to build an online plan on the provincial emergency management website
• Plans can be tailored for specific members of the family, including children, seniors, those with disabilities, and pets  
• Prepare an emergency kit to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. This helps emergency crews to prioritize those who need the most urgent assistance. Check your kit twice a year to refresh and restock. A full list of what goes in a kit is available on the Emergency Kit page.
• Emergency kits must be customized to include everyone’s needs – children, seniors, pets and it is also advisable to prepare a kit for your personal vehicle

For more information, visit the Emergency Preparedness page or Halton Region website.

Quotes

“When an emergency strikes, the town is prepared to respond and support our community. Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility, I encourage every resident, business and community organization to be proactive and prepared. Simple and important steps can make all the difference in saving their lives and that of their families, employees and volunteers.” 

Mayor Rob Burton