Being prepared can help protect yourself, your family and your home from the impacts of severe weather and other emergencies. Heavy snowfall, freezing rain, power outages and extreme cold are common in southern Ontario communities and you can ensure you are ready for winter by following three easy steps:
Be aware of weather conditions and potential hazards that could lead to an emergency in your community. In winter, these can include low temperatures, snow and ice—remember to stay informed!
Know how you and your household would evacuate, communicate and stay safe during an emergency. If you live in a high-rise building, learn about its Fire Safety Plan and include the procedures in your own plans. This season, you should also consider how you would respond if severe weather leaves you without access to power or running water and note the nearest evacuation centre that can provide temporary shelter if you are notified to leave your home.
Get or make an emergency kit that contains essential supplies that will keep you, your family and pets healthy for 72 hours. In colder weather, it is especially important to have an additional kit for your car stocked with non-perishable food, warm clothing and items that can help you stay safe during an emergency on the road.
We are ready to respond
Last month, Halton staged a joint exercise with the City of Burlington to test how we would coordinate with first responders and community partners during the evacuation of a high-rise building. If you live in an apartment or condominium, I encourage you to read its Fire Safety Plan and learn about additional precautions you can take to be ready for an emergency.
Planning ahead to protect our community during emergencies helps keep Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. We all have a role to play—to learn more about the steps you can take to be prepared this season, please visit halton.ca.