Emergency preparedness – are you ready?

No one plans for potential emergencies, that’s why preparing for the unexpected is so important. Review the helpful tips below to ensure you and your family are ready for an emergency situation.

How to prepare

Emergency Preparedness Plan

Create an emergency preparedness plan for your household, children and pets. Make sure to include an emergency meeting place, updated emergency contact information, health and insurance information. Familiarize yourself with escape and evacuation routes from your home or building and community. Public Safety Canada provides an online tool to help you to make your personalized family emergency plan. Keep a copy of the plan in a place where each member of your family can easily find it.

Emergency Kit

Make sure you have an emergency kit with all essential items for at least 72 hours after a disaster or emergency. Essential supplies include water, non-perishable food, a manual can opener, medication, first aid kits, warm clothing, a flash light, batteries, a battery operated radio, small bills and change. Consider adding a copy of your emergency plan, photocopies of personal documents (such as insurance) and a household emergency contact list. Emergency kits can be purchased from several commercial retailers including the Canadian Red Cross.

Valuable Resources and Information

Teach your kids about what to do in case of emergencies and natural disasters. Public Safety Canada provides valuable resources and information on what to cover with children.

Home Inventory List

Create an ongoing inventory of the things you value such as receipts, photographs or video footage. In case your home or contents are damaged, this will be a necessary step as part of the claims process. Check out our home inventory list to help you keep a record of these items.

Responsibilities and Resources

Learn about the responsibilities and resources available through first responders, government and non-government agencies during and after a natural disaster or emergency.

Prevention Tips

While you can’t prevent natural disasters, you can minimize some of the damage by looking at your home (both inside and outside). Simple efforts like inspecting and repairing your roof or landscaping trees on your property can reduce the risk of further damage during a storm. Don’t forget the inside of your home as well. Consider protection for your windows as they are commonly damaged in storms, and make a plan for the event of a power outage.

Let BrokerLink help

If you have questions about your insurance coverage, let BrokerLink help. Our brokers will explain what is covered by your current policy and ensure you have the right amount of coverage in an emergency. At BrokerLink, we work hard to get you the peace of mind you deserve. Whether it's insuring your home, car, business, recreational items or pets, let us help you get the best coverage for your needs.

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For more information on emergency preparedness and resources visit Public Safety Canada. Or you can contact Emergency Management Ontario the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, or the Nova Scotia Emergency Alerts and Information.