If there’s anything we learned after the emergency situations in the 705 over the winter, it’s to be prepared with enough supplies to keep your family going for at least 72 hours. May 4-10, 2025 is Emergency Preparedness Week and Huntsville OPP is asking everyone to make sure they are ready for anything. The week-long event is a national effort led by Public Safety Canada and other organizations, aiming to educate communities about emergency preparedness.
This year, Ontario’s theme is “Plan for the Season”. This campaign is intended to engage everyone across the province about emergency preparedness, and to raise awareness about action and accountability in a manner that is both interactive and entertaining.
Statistics Canada revealed that just 47% of Canadians possess an emergency survival kit. The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM) stress the importance of owning your own emergency survival kit.
Basic emergency kit checklist:
Water – two litres of water per person per day (include small bottles)
Food that won’t spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (replace once a year)
Manual can opener
Wind-up or battery-powered flashlight (and extra batteries)
Wind-up or battery-powered radio (and extra batteries)
First aid kit
Extra keys for your car and house
Cash, travellers’ cheques and change
Important family documents such as identification, insurance and bank records
Click here for a special Pet Emergency Preparedness Kit Checklist!
Creating and practicing an Emergency Plan for your family is incredibly important. It should include:
- Safe exits from home and neighbourhood
- Meeting places to reunite with family or roommates
- Designated person to pick up children should you be unavailable
- Contact persons close-by and out-of-town
- Health and insurance information
- Places for your pet to stay
- Risks in your region
- Location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical panel, gas valve and floor drain
Emergency plan – include a copy in your kit as well as contact information
Consider these additional emergency kit supplies:
Two additional litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning
Candles and matches or lighter (place in sturdy containers and do not burn unattended)
Change of clothing and footwear for each household member
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member
Toiletries and personal hygiene items
Hand sanitizer, toilet paper and garbage bags
Prepaid phone card, mobile phone charger
Pet food and supplies
Infant formula, baby food and supplies
Activities for children like books, puzzles or toys
Prescription medications, medical equipment
Utensils, plates and cups
Household chlorine bleach or water purifying tablets
Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, pocket knife)
Small fuel-operated stove and fuel
Whistle (to attract attention)
Duct tape
To find out more information on emergency preparedness and to follow this informative and fun campaign, please visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/emergency-preparedness-week
Additional information at http://www.getprepared.ca/
