Emergency Preparedness

Know the risks: Learn the types of hazards that can occur in Wellington County

Being better prepared is all about having a plan and it only takes about 20 minutes to complete.  Making sure everyone in your family knows what to do in an emergency is the first step. Consider the following questions;

• What are your two escape routes from your house and your neighbourhood? Do you practice them at least once a year?
• Where will you meet if the family gets separated?
• Who can pick up the kids?
• Do you have readily available Close-by and out-of-town alternate contact information of names, telephone numbers and addresses?
• What will you do with your pets?

Its easy, fast and free to make a plan on line for printing.  Are you ready to start?

Yes

Building a 72 hour Emergency kit is easy and you may be surprised how at how much you already have at home.  Your kit should contain essential items for you, your family and your pets to survive for a minimum of three days or 72 hours at home.  Keep it in an easy-to-reach, accessible place. Remember you may need to stay in place with your 72 hour kit or possibly leave immediately with a grab-and-go bag.

Essentials

• Three day supply of drinking water (4 liters per person per day) and non-perishable food for your household, including pets
• Manual can-opener 
• Battery powered or crank radio and flashlight with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Prescriptions and special medical supplies for family
• Candles and matches/lighter
• hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
• Important personal papers, including contact information for you 
• Extra car and house keys, smaller bills of cash
• Whistle (to attract attention, if needed)
• Copy of your emergency plan and contact information

Make sure your medications are written down and stored all together in an easily accessible location.

How to build a emergency kit for your vehicle

How to build a emergency kit for your pets

How to build individual personal "Grab & Go" kit

How to build a medication list

• Arrange in advance for someone to check on you in the event of an emergency
• If you rely on life-sustaining equipment/apparatus that requires electricity, develop a back up plan in case there is a power outage
• Work with your family or healthcare provider to develop a plan and build a kit for your specific needs

Disabilities & Special Needs Guide for Emergency Preparedness

Importance of Insurance

Insurance can help you replace what’s lost, and help cover your expenses if you are forced to leave your home during an emergency. Discuss your needs with an insurance representative.

As a home owner or tenant, you are legally responsible for any damage you cause to any part of your building and for unintentional harm caused to others who live in or visit the property. For example:

• If your known faulty toaster oven starts a fire that damages not only your apartment, but the entire complex, you may have to pay for the damage to your unit and the rest of the complex.
• If someone slips and falls in your rental condo, you may be held financially responsible for the cost of the injured person’s damages.
• If your clothing, furniture or electronics are destroyed by fire or water damage, replacement costs add up.

For more information, visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s  website.

During an emergency, you should stay tuned to local news channels. Be sure to have a portable, battery-operated or crank radio in your 72 hour kit in case of power outages. Look for official information from the County’s Facebook and Twitter account.

Local Radio Stations:

88.8     The River (Wellington North & Minto)
91.7     Erin Radio (Erin)
93.7     Country 93 (Wellington North & Minto)
100.1   The Ranch (Mapleton & Minto)
101.1   The Grand (Centre Wellington)
106.1   Magic 106 (Guelph/Eramosa & Puslinch)
920      CKNX (Wellington North & Minto & Mapleton)
1460    CJOY (Guelph/Eramosa)

If you are instructed to "shelter-in-place" this means you must remain inside your home or location and protect yourself there.  What to do?

Authorities will not ask you to leave your home unless they have reason to believe you are in danger.  What to do?

Your pets and evacuations

Do not return home until you are notified by officials it is safe to do so. Find general instructions here on what to do after an emergency that apply to many emergencies but not every situation is the same.

Please read the types of hazards that could happen in Wellington County located here.