What to do before an During an Emergency?

 

Your Personal Emergency Plan: Before You Begin

Before you begin, developing your personal emergency plan, take a few moments to consider the possible emergency situations or potential disasters you could face. These are situations and events that could impact you, your family or your neighbourhood or community.

Talk to your family members to get their views and assistance in building an action plan you and your family can follow to help reduce the possible effects of any emergency or disaster.

You may want to consider helping your neighbours do the same, especially those who are elderly or disabled.

During an emergency, your best protection is preparation. Knowing what to do will help you stay safe and better control of the situation.
The following information will help you prepare for specific emergencies, including:

Power Outage

Turn the thermostat(s) down to minimum and turn off all appliances, electronic equipment and tools to prevent injury, damage to equipment and fire. Power can be restored more easily when the system is not overloaded.

Use a flashlight. If you must use candles, be sure to use proper candleholders. Never leave lit candles unattended.

Generators are an option for backup electricity, however:

They should never be used indoors
They require frequent maintenance (including frequent oil changes)
They must be installed and connected to your main panel (not directly to your wiring system) by a qualified electrician.

During an Earthquake

If you are in a building, stay inside. Stay away from windows. Shelter under a heavy desk or table and anchor yourself by holding on tightly. If you can't get under something strong, flatten yourself against an interior wall, and protect your head and neck.

If you are outside, go to an open area. Move away from buildings or any structure that could collapse. Stay away from power lines and downed electrical wires.

If you are in a car, stop the car and stay in it. Avoid bridges, overpasses or underpasses, buildings or anything that could collapse on you and your car.

Severe Lightning Storm

If you are in a building, stay inside. Stay away from windows, doors, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, metal pipes, sinks or other electrical charge conductors. Unplug TVs, radios, toasters and other electrical appliances. Don't use the phone or other electrical equipment.

If you are outside, seek shelter in a building, cave or depressed area. If you're caught in the open, crouch down with your feet close together and your head down. Don't lie flat; by minimizing your contact with the ground you reduce the risk of being electrocuted by a ground charge. Keep away from telephone and power lines, fences, trees and hilltops. Get off bicycles, motorcycles, and tractors.

If you are in a car, stop the car and stay in it. Don't stop near trees or power lines that could fall.

Flood

Turn off basement furnaces and the outside gas valve. Shut off the electricity. If the area around the fuse box or circuit breaker is wet, stand on a dry board and shut off the power with a dry wooden stick.

Never try to cross a flood area on foot. The fast water could sweep you away.

If you are in a car, try not to drive through floodwaters. Fast water could sweep your car away. If you are caught in fast rising waters and if your car stalls, leave the car.

Infectious Disease Outbreak

In case of a respiratory (airborne) infectious disease outbreak, the most important thing to do is to listen to the radio and follow recommendations to prevent and contain the spread of the disease.

Respiratory infections are generally spread by small droplets in the air that can settle on surfaces. To prevent the spread:

-Cover your mouth when you cough/sneeze (with a tissue or into your elbow).
-Wash your hands frequently, or use a alcohol-based hand cleaner.
-Limit your contact with others.
-When contact is necessary, keep at least a metre away from others.
-Clean surfaces and contact points (contact points include door knobs, counters, and other high traffic areas).

A widespread infection may call for major public health measures, including:

-Limiting public gatherings
-Vaccination clinics
-Antibiotic clinic

Hazardous Chemical Release

In the case of a hazardous chemical release, do not approach the scene of the release. Back off as quickly as possible. Listen to the advice of local officials on the radio or television to determine what steps you will need to take to protect yourself.

People who may have come into contact with a biological or chemical agent may need to go through a decontamination procedure before receiving medical attention.

If you have been exposed, or think you might have been, wait at a safe distance for direction from the authorities.
Take steps to avoid contaminating others.