With extreme weather events becoming more common throughout Canada, you never know when a disaster might strike. Make sure your family is ready with a home emergency kit.

Don’t wait for a disaster to happen before worrying about it. Severe weather and disasters like flooding, heavy snowfall, earthquakes, extreme cold, extreme heat, hurricanes, and tornados can leave you without power and running water, and you need to be prepared. The best way to get prepared is to make an emergency kit for your home that is stocked with enough survival essentials for up to 72 hours.

What to Use as an Emergency Kit

Whatever container you choose to use for your emergency kit, it needs to be durable and easy to carry. Some common and practical options include a backpack, a duffle bag, or a piece of luggage with wheels. The size should depend on the number of people living in your household. If you have a large household, you may even want to create multiple kits–either one for every member or kits that different members know they are in charge of.

Where to Keep Your Emergency Kit

Another important consideration when putting together your home emergency kit is where you plan to keep it. Your kit should be highly accessible and easy to find so that no one wastes time looking for it when they need it. Make sure it can even be located with a flashlight in the dark. Putting it in a front hall or hallway closet is ideal. Once in a while, check that it hasn’t become surrounded by clutter and organize the closet as necessary.

What to Include in an Emergency Kit

An effective emergency kit will contain what you need for survival when cut off from basic utilities and supplies, so make sure your kit has the following items.

• Enough water to last every member of your household for 72 hours
• A three-day supply of non-perishable foods
• A well-stocked first aid kit
• Flashlights and/or headlamps
• Battery-powered radio
• Extra batteries
• Matches in a waterproof container
• A solar charger for electronics
• Extra pet supplies
• Spare home and car keys
• A whistle to call for help
• Extra clothing
• Cash in small bills
• A local map
• Copies of important records and documents

Vehicle Emergency Kits

In addition to having an emergency kit in your home, it’s a good idea to keep one in the trunk of your vehicle as well. This is particularly important in the winter when you are more likely to get stranded on the road, but it can come in handy during any time of year.

Some of the most important items you should keep in your vehicle emergency kit are:

• Non-perishable food
• Plastic water bottles
• A first aid kit
• A blanket
• Extra clothing
• An extra pair of shoes
• Small shovel and snow brush
• Flashlight
• Whistle
• Maps

Whether you are at home or on the road, you should always be prepared for a possible emergency. A survival kit is quick and easy to put together, and it will put your mind at ease if extreme weather comes your way. It’s one of the best things you can do to help keep your family safe when disaster strikes.