Emergency Preparedness

Holly Dunster
Community Emergency Management Coordinator
613-498-2460
fireadmin@ektwp.ca

What to do during an earthquake depends largely on where you are during the quake.

If You Are Inside

EMO advises you to stay inside, away from windows. If possible they suggest you move yourself under a heavy desk or table and hang on. If this isn’t possible, they advise you to flatten yourself against an interior wall and protect your head and neck.

If You Are Outside

The EMO suggests you are to move away from buildings or structures and into an open area. Stay away from power lines and downed electrical wires.

If You Are In A Car

Stop the car and stay in it. During an earthquake avoid bridges, overpasses, underpasses, buildings or anything that can fall onto your car.

During a flood, Emergency Management Ontario suggests that you take the following actions to minimize the damage to your home:

• Turn off basement furnaces
• Turn off outside gas valve
• Shut off the electricity – if the area around the fuse box is wet, stand on a dry board and use a dry wooded stick to shut off the power.
• Never try to cross a flooded area, whether you are on foot or in a car – the fast moving water could sweep you and your car away. Flood waters can cause your car to stall – if this happens, leave your car and get yourself and passengers to safety on foot.

The EMO advises that you follow these instructions during a severe lightning storm:

If You Are Inside

Stay inside away from windows, doors, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, metal pipes, sinks or electrical charge conductors. The EMO recommends unplugging TVs, radios, toasters and other electrical appliances. Do not use the telephone or other electrical equipment.

If You Are Outside

Find shelter wherever possible; the EMO recommends seeking out a building, cave or depressed area. If you are unable to find shelter, crouch down low with your feet close together and your head down. Do not lie flat – this will increase the risk of being electrocuted. Keep away from telephone and power lines, fences, trees and hilltops. Stay off bicycles, motorcycles and tractors.

If You Are In Your Car

Stop your car and stay inside. Don’t stop the car near power lines or trees which could fall.

During a tornado your reaction will be determined by your surroundings.

If You Are Inside

Go to the basement right away. In areas where there are no basements, lie flat (or crouch) under heavy furniture in a small inner room or stairwell. Stay away from windows.

If You Are Outside

If you have no shelter, lie down in a ditch or ravine and protect your head and neck.

If You Are In Your Car

Leave your car and move away from it. Your car could be blown about and may roll over you. Once you have moved away from the car, follow the directions above.

While flashlights are always the safest option, if you must use candles, exercise extreme caution:

• Use secure candleholders that are stable and, ideally, protected by a glass chimney to prevent the flame from spreading.
• Keep candles away from any combustible materials, such as paper, curtains, or fabric, to minimize fire risk.
• Always place candles out of reach of children and pets to avoid accidental tipping or burns.
• Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep to ensure they do not remain unattended.
• Avoid using candles in bedrooms or any areas where they could easily be forgotten or knocked over.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy the warm glow of candles while maintaining safety in your home.

To ensure the safety of children, always store matches, lighters, and any other fire-starting materials out of sight and reach. The safest option is to keep them in a locked, childproof cabinet or drawer. Avoid leaving them in easily accessible areas, such as countertops or drawers, where children might find them. It's important to educate your children about the dangers of fire and to set clear boundaries. Taking these precautions will help reduce the risk of accidental fires and keep your home safer for everyone.

Before leaving the kitchen or going to bed, double-check that all stove elements and oven burners are turned off. This is essential for preventing potential fires or accidents. Additionally, make sure nothing is left on top of the stove, as items can easily be knocked over or accidentally activated. Always keep the cooking area clear of flammable objects such as paper towels, dishcloths, and oven mitts to reduce the risk of fire. Taking a moment to inspect these details can help keep your home safe.

When using a portable generator, always place it outside, away from windows, doors, and vents to prevent harmful fumes from entering your home. To protect your family, install a battery-powered carbon monoxide (CO) detector inside your home.

Keep your generator and its hot exhaust gases at least several feet away from any combustible materials to reduce the risk of fire.

Store fuel for your generator outside, in an approved container, and a safe distance from both the generator and your home.

Always refuel the generator only after shutting it down and allowing it to cool. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety guidelines for safe operation.

Smoke alarms that are electrically connected to your home’s AC power supply will not function during a power outage unless they are equipped with battery backups. Check the type of alarms in your home and make sure you have battery-operated smoke alarms in place to ensure your safety in the event of a power failure. Remember to test all smoke alarms regularly to ensure they are working properly.

It’s crucial that everyone in your household knows exactly what to do in the event of a fire. Assign responsibilities—who will care for children or elderly family members? Decide on a designated meeting spot outside the home and make sure everyone is familiar with it. Keep a non-cordless phone available, as it will continue to work during a power outage. If a fire occurs, call the fire department from a neighbor’s phone or another reliable source.

Emergency Kit Essentials

Emergency Management Ontario recommends that you prepare a kit containing the following items. Ensure that each member of your household has their own kit, tailored to their needs.

Your emergency kit should include:

• Flashlight and batteries
• Radio (with batteries or crank-powered)
• Spare batteries (for flashlight or radio)
• First Aid Kit
• Candles and matches/lighter
• Extra car keys and cash
• Important papers (e.g., identification)
• Non-perishable food and bottled water
• Clothing and footwear
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Toilet paper and other personal items
• Medication (including any prescriptions)
• Backpack or duffle bag (to hold all items)
• Whistle (to attract attention if needed)
• Playing cards or other games for entertainment

For more details on preparing your 72-hour survival kit, visit the Emergency Management Ontario website.

Whether you're at home or on the road, being prepared for emergencies is essential. Keep the following items in your car to ensure you're ready for any situation:

• Shovel
• Sand, salt, or kitty litter (for traction)
• Traction mats
• Tow chain
• Compass
• Cloth or roll of paper towels

Emergency Safety & Survival Tools:

• Warning light or road flares
• Extra clothing and footwear
• Emergency food pack
• Axe or hatchet
• Booster cables
• Ice scraper and brush
• Road maps
• Matches and a “survival” candle in a deep can (use to warm hands, heat a drink, or as emergency light)
• Fire extinguisher (non-water-based)
• Methyl hydrate (for fuel line and windshield de-icing)
• Flashlight
• First-aid kit with seatbelt cutter
• Blanket (survival blankets are best)

While people come first in an emergency, it’s important to be prepared for your pets as well. When assembling your 72-hour emergency kit, make sure to include the following items to care for your pets:

Basic Supplies:

• Food and water
• Spare dishes for food and water
• Disposable litter box, litter, and **scoop
• Leash and collar (and possibly a tie-out rope)

Comfort and Safety:

• Pet carrier
• Blanket or towel
• Plastic bags (for scooping waste)

Water Safety

If you suspect that your drinking water supply is contaminated, you can make it safe to drink using one of the following methods:

1. Boil the water for 10 minutes.
2. Add 5 drops of chlorine bleach to 4.5L of clear water, and let it stand for 15 minutes.
3. Add 10 drops of chlorine bleach to 4.5L of cloudy water, and let it stand for 30 minutes.

Food Safety

• Without power, a full chest freezer will keep food frozen for approximately 2 days if kept closed.
• A refrigerator will keep food cool for 4–6 hours.

Important Reminder: If you’re unsure whether food is safe to eat, it’s always better to throw it out than risk illness.

• Leave Immediately – If instructed to evacuate, do so without delay.
• Take Your Emergency Kit – Bring your survival kit with you, ensuring you have essential supplies.
• Shut It Off – Turn off the water, gas, and electricity only if officials instruct you to do so.
• Make Arrangements for Pets – Don’t forget your pets’ survival kits and ensure they are safe.
• Dress for the Weather – Wear appropriate clothing and shoes based on current weather conditions.
• Lock Up – Secure your home by locking doors and windows before leaving.
• Follow Official Routes – Stick to the routes recommended by authorities. Taking shortcuts may lead to blocked or hazardous areas.
• Leave a Note – Leave a note for others with details of when you left and where you are going.
• Register at the Shelter – Upon arrival at a shelter, sign in with the registration center so you can be contacted or reunited with loved ones.

If you must evacuate your home for an extended period during a winter power failure, it’s important to drain the water from your plumbing system to prevent pipes from freezing. Follow these steps:

1. Turn off the water supply and begin draining the system:

   • Open all taps starting from the top floor of your home and allow the water to drain out.
   • Flush toilets several times to empty the tanks and bowls.
   • Open the drain valve in the basement, if applicable, to ensure any remaining water is released.

2. Drain the hot water tank:

   • Attach a hose to the tank’s drain valve and run the hose to a basement floor drain to safely empty the tank.
   • If you have a gas-fired water heater, turn off the pilot light before draining the tank. Contact your local gas supplier to have the pilot light re-lit when you return.

3. Unhook washing machine hoses and allow any remaining water to drain out.

Taking these precautions will help prevent costly water damage and frozen pipes while you're away.