When making your Personal Emergency Preparedness Plan, consider what to do in case you need to evacuate your home.
Before an Emergency
Have a "Go Bag" ready to take with you.
You can use a backpack or small luggage bag loaded with essential items that is ready to go.
In your Go Bag be sure to include:
- water
- a small amount of non-perishable food
- flashlight and batteries
- a first aid kit and manual
- waterproof matches or a lighter
- a whistle, cash
- prescription medications
- money (credit and bank cards may not work during an emergency)
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Also include photocopies of important documents:
- emergency contact numbers
- birth certificates
- health cards
- driver's licences
- passports
- bank accounts & credit card numbers
- insurance policies
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Have a pre-arranged out of area contact person and decide on a place to reunite if your family is separated.
Your family may be in different locations when an evacuation order is given. Have a pre-arranged meeting place for your family to regroup. Pick one location in your immediate neighbourhood, one in another part of your city, and an out of town contact (relative or friend) who can help you to regroup. Make sure every member of the family knows where these locations are and has the contact information for the out town person.
During an Emergency
If you need to evacuate:
- Take a cellular phone with you.
- Shut off all appliances and lights. Shut off water and electricity if officials instruct you to do so.
- Lock the doors and windows of your home when you leave.
- If you have time before leaving your house, leave a note on the front door telling others when you left, where you were going, when you expect to arrive, and how to contact you.
- Follow the recommended route to the evacuation centre. Other routes or short-cuts may pass through hazards and place you in danger.
- If possible, take only one vehicle to the evacuation centre. This will help to keep your family together. Consider carpooling with your neighbours. Traffic may be heavy and parking at the shelter may be limited.
- Register with a reception centre when you arrive so you can be contacted and reunited with loved ones.
- Get in touch with your out of town contact. Once you are in a safe place, let them know.
- Do not leave the shelter until advised by local authorities that it is safe.
- Do not re-enter the evacuated area until you are informed by authorities that it is safe to do so.
After an Emergency
When you return after an evacuation:
- Report broken gas, water, or sewer mains to the municipality.
- Use care to avoid debris when driving and re-entering your home.
- Only re-enter your home it is absolutely safe to do so.
- Conduct a thorough inspection to check for structural damage or other hazards resulting from the emergency.