Create a Household Emergency Plan

Before an emergency happens, you and your family can take a number of steps to be more prepared. 

Check out the Personal Preparedness Guide to find a checklist of small actions that will increase your resilience.

When you're ready to create a personal emergency plan, use the Home Emergency Plan Workbook to get started. Talk about emergencies with your family as you fill out each page. Consider what you will do if the local network/internet is down and you are unable to reach your family members, or the steps you’d take if an evacuation were to be called. Once you have filled out the Workbook, make sure you keep it somewhere safe so that all family members know where to find the information. 

In the event of an emergency, be sure to follow the instructions of local authorities and be as self-sufficient as possible to allow emergency responders to help those who require priority assistance.

Build Resilience

While you are creating your personal emergency plan, consider ways in which you can build resilience.

  • If you have insurance, review your policy annually to ensure you’re adequately protected. Regularly take pictures and videos of your property and belongings to aid in any insurance claims. If you do not have insurance, consider getting a quote to see what options may be available to you
  • Meet your neighbours – building a friendly community helps to build a resilient community! Having connections with others can help increase your ability to recover from unexpected situations
  • Learn how to turn off the utilities in your home. In an emergency, you may be asked to do so for safety reasons

Create an Emergency Kit

National guidelines recommend creating an emergency kit with 3 to 7 days’ worth of food and water for all family members while emergency response teams initiate planning and actions. Your emergency kit may also include special items for pets, seniors, and those with health needs. You can purchase pre-made kits or create your own based on your family's needs. Store emergency kits in an easy-to-find place in your home.

Be prepared! Keep a kit with:

  • Water & non-perishable food (at least three days, and ideally up to two weeks)
  • Medications, first aid, and essential medical equipment
  • Flashlight, radio, batteries
  • Important documents & emergency contacts
  • Phone charger
  • Extra supplies as needed (hint: check the Personal Preparedness Guide for ideas!)

Note: Keep your emergency kit in an accessible, waterproof container and review it every 6–12 months to refresh food, water, and batteries.

Prepare your Property

In preparation for the wildfire season, you can use the FireSmart principles to reduce the risk of a wildfire causing damage to your property.

In preparation for a power outage, make sure the water lines under your home are properly insulated. Plug all sensitive equipment and electronics into a surge protector. Keep flashlights on hand, as they are a safer option than using candles. Having a radio and batteries (or a hand-cranked radio) can be a good way to access information.

Fire Prevention

Prepare your Business

Business owners should develop a plan for their staff and operations in the event of an emergency. This type of plan is referred to as a Business Continuity Plan. Some questions to ask yourself when writing your Business Continuity Plan include:

  • If an emergency happens, will you stay open or closed?
  • Will your entire business stay open or only some areas?
  • What will you need to keep your business running (equipment, trained staff, supplies, technology, etc.)?
  • Where will you get the things that you need to keep running during an emergency?
  • What will you need to communicate with your clients or customers?

Helpful Resources