Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Week 2013
byIt’s the Canadian Red Cross’ Emergency Preparedness Week (May 6th to May 12th) which is an annual awareness campaign to encourage Canadians to be better prepared to deal with disasters in their communities.
Did you know that in a large-scale emergency it could take emergency responders 72 hours to reach you? Would you and your family have enough supplies to get you through 72 hours? Most Canadians admit that they aren’t prepared, even though every province and territory experienced a disaster within the past year. The Canadian Red Cross responded to over 2,300 disasters last year, including everything from house fires to wildfires, landslides, severe flooding, power outages, and hurricanes. Do you know the risks in your area?
To get you thinking about emergency preparedness, the Canadian Red Cross and I have teamed up to offer two unique prizes, thanks to ETON:
1) ETON MicroLink FR 170 Weather Radio – Stay connected in an emergency with this AM/FM Weather Radio with USB cell phone charger that receives audio broadcasts issued by Environment Canada for weather warnings and alerts. Includes built-in LED flashlight and USB cell phone charger. Powered by solar panel and dynamo crank. (Retail value: $36.95)
2) ETON SolarLink FR 370 Weather Radio – Enhanced weather radio that receives audio broadcasts from Environment Canada filtering only broadcasts that affect your area. Also includes an alarm clock. (Retail value: $67.95)
Here’s how you can enter to win one of these two prizes:
- Leave a comment naming the known disaster risks in your home or neighbourhood and/or a step that you have taken to prepare your family in case of emergency
(1 entry) - Re-Pin this post on Pinterest or pin a link/image on Pinterest that pertains to emergency preparedness. Be sure to tag @Miss604 and #CanadianRedCross
(1 entry) - Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw two winners (one for each prize) at random from all entries on Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 12:0pm. I also have two Red Cross Canada first aid fanny packs that I will award to two other random winners at that time. These products and more are available in the Red Cross Canada’s online shop.
I am a proud member of the Canadian Red Cross Social Media Team and had the honour of being a part of their Emergency Response Unit training last fall. The Canadian Red Cross has many helpful resources to help you and your family plan for an emergency. To learn more about how to make an emergency plan, what to pack in an emergency kit, and about the risks in your area, check out their online resources.
Update The winners are Jessica (ETON MicroLink FR 170 Weather Radio) and @TanyaJoyT (ETON SolarLink FR 370 Weather Radio). First aid kits go to Zaelia & Brenda A.
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Hi Rebecca — Karen here from @redcrosscanada. Thank you for this post and for your tremendous support to the Red Cross. We appreciate your support in helping the Red Cross advocate for families to be prepared for any emergency.
I would really love to win this – just had a reminder today at orientation for my new job of the importance of putting together a good emergency kit!
I keep extra water in myy apartment in case of an emergency like an earthquake and we are required to be on our own for days.
We have labeled the gas shutoff valve by the furnace and we have a family meeting spot in case of emergency outside.
in 2011 following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, I put together an earthquake kit for our house and also smaller kits for our cars, including emergency water packets (I had been procrastination doing so for years!) I have an older version of an hand-cranked Eton flashlight – it’s very handy and will charge my iPhone
We do regular earthquake and fire drills
An earthquake is a risk in our area & we have purchased a manual crank flashlight & already have a battery operated radio.
We need to be prepared for earchquakes:
I know where the gas and water shut off taps are located.
I have told my husband where I’ll be if I’m not in the house. He has 3 places to look for me within 2 blocks of where we live.
I have a radio, flashlight and extra water stored in the house.
I also have started a 1st aid kit for the car & have some snacks stored for emergencies.
Obviously I’m not totally prepared but it’s a start.
Earthquake and tsunami
Big trees during windstorm, we all have to sleep in the basement, with at least a day supply of water, food, clothing
First aid kit and flat of water bottles at the ready along with a pantry that always has some extra food. Not really everything we should have but at least it’s something.
Hurricanes are becoming an increasing problem with the reulting water shortage and no power – 2 in the last 3 years – After Hurricane Igor hit us we now make sure that we have water and food in the house for a week and an alternative power source
Pinned – http://pinterest.com/pin/241435229996350876/
tweeted – https://twitter.com/Vesper1931/status/331778741984452609
We have a separate bag for essential medication that we can take with us if we have to leave our house for an evacuation.
Known risks: falling trees and power lines. We have been storing water in containers, canned food, instant noodles, flashlights, portable stove, etc. for years now.
Storing enough fresh drinkable water for at least 72 hours within the home, and change it every 6 months.
We always have water on hand and lots of food in the pantry. First aid kit is ALWAYS ready.
I have an emergency preparedness kit with food, water, radio, first aid supplies, etc. Probably a lot more I could do.
always have an emergency kit. always be prepared with water, first aid, canned food,flashlight. etc.
We have an emergency kit and our cat carriers at the ready.
I go to the emergency seminars at our community center on a regular basis so that I am aware of emergency concerns specific to our neighbourhood.
I have an emergency kit that I replenish regularly.
After we have gone through a few hurricanes and tropical storms we have purchased a generator, always have a supply of gasoline and propane on hand.
biggest risks would be an earthquake or tsunami…we have water & dry goods for food stashed, as well as extra batteries and crank flashlights
Earthquakes and Shootings would be known disaster risks in my neighbourhood.
Disasters are not just earthquakes – disasters are any catastrophic events either man or nature related, which means expect to be away from home a min of 72 hours. Your neighbourhood could be evacuated because of a train derailment carrying chemicals, a fire or even a meth lab.
The 2 tips I have and have done to prepare are
1) In case of a disaster, know where your social assistance centres are located (usually in community centres in your area), they can get you access to food, shelter, clothing, reunion checks in case your loved ones and friends are located another part of the city and can’t reach you because phone lines and cell service is down.
2) Have fire extinguishers and flashlights and kept together in multiple locations in your house. If you go to a store like KMS tools, you can get flashlight holders that you screw into the wall beside your extinguisher. Add in your emergency kit and you have an emergency centre which takes up very little space.
Pinned
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We bought a 48hr emergency backpack filled with water, food, and first aid items.
Landslides are a known disaster risk in my neighbourhood. Living on a mountain this could easily happen to us. We watch for patterns of storm water drainage on slopes near our home, especially where runoff water converges. We have a 3 day supply of canned food and water stored when we need to evacuate. We also have plenty of batteries, cell phones, phone chargers, flashlights, our meds, tools, and extra cash on hand when we need to relocate.
To prepare my family in case of emergency, we have an emergency plan.
in case of fire or earthquake, we have a designated meeting spot as well as some extra food, blankets and medication packed away just in case
we have been refilling water jugs for the last 10 years preparing for the earthquake.My kids also have drawn fire escape plans in case of emergency.
for us it is earthquake , and occasionally flooding . We cant do much about the flooding other than be ready to go if they tell us it is a possibilty, for earthquake I have a small emergency backpack but I really should get it better supplied
i tweeted
https://twitter.com/roswello/status/331890250869772290
I have earthquake kits, at home and in the car.
We have a bug out bag for each of us including our pets.
Earthquakes and flooding
Known risks – falling trees, earthquake, tsunami, winds, rain.
We keep an emergency supply kit with food and water on hand.
We have food and water in the garage in case of emergency.
Earthquake or fire,tree falling on the house, and major power outage are the big ones that concern me.
I have a well stocked basement storage area which includes food, drink, and a can opener, if we can’t access the kitchen upstairs. We have fire detectors that we check regularly, and flashlights, and extra batteries. My DD’s night light is a flashlight as well. Important documents are kept at the bank. I do need to set up an out of province contact person.
As preparation in case of an emergency I keep a well-stocked first aid cabinet.
practice your fire drill regularly!
earthquake and tsunami. We have started getting a pack together, and this is a good reminder for us to do more.
We have earthquake kits in the house and cash hidden in the garage. But I’ve been meaning to get a Red Cross kit; this would make things a lot easier!
I have a few things: first aid kit, bottles of water, a fire-safe box for important documents.
we keep extra water and a battery operated radio
In case of a major Earthquake, I have dried food stored in an emergency carry bag.
Need to do more to be prepared, have an emergency contact system in place to check in with family members.
Earthquake kit for the big one
We have emergency water, food and red cross first aid kit.
Earthquakes and a go bag.
We have an emergency kit in out car and in the house for an earthquake!
Earthquake. Water & emergency kit stored in the home.
We have an emergency contact list at work. and I have a first aid kid at my desk.
I keep meaning to throw a decent pair of runners in my car so if I have to walk home to Delta from Richmond, I can hire a boat and walk the rest. Plan, plan, plan.
Earthquakes are an issue so we have lots of water and non-perishable food at hand.
we have specially built an underground shed in case of emergency. In this we have water, batteries, canned food, and medical aid kit. We know the big one is coming soon, the more prepared the less worry we get. As for my son, he travels with a small emergency kit, that houses a letter that I wrote to keep him calm, snack, radio, and a few first aid pieces. We as a family are fully aware where to go in case of an emergency during school and work times, and how we will meet.
Having emergency preparedness items on hand is smart.
Pipes leaking and having disruption with water pipes can be lethal to our water supply.
We know the fire exits in our apartment building.
earthquake
I live in an area with lots of big trees and electric poles. During windy periods (wind warnings), there is a risk of falling trees and electrical wires. I’ve briefed my family on what to do when that happens. I also have a make shift emergency pack in case someone injures themselves.
I keep lots of food in the pantry just in case
https://twitter.com/leanne_mac/status/332376463103885312
In case of an earth quake, we are prepared with an earth kit with enough supplies for our family for 72 hours.
Having lived in Japan, I know the importance of being prepared with an earthquake kit. I haven’t out together my own Vancouver kit yet, so this would be a great help. Thank you.
Food, water and medical supplies are always on hand in case of emergency.
I always have food (that doesn’t need to be cooked) and water in the pantry in case of emergency. Earthquakes are the top concern.
After seeing the images of the Indonesian tsunami, I took the erosion I was seeing more seriously and moved out of a rental house that was built on a sandy bank 60m directly above the beach on the Sunshine Coast. My spouse and I have 2 emergency backpacks in our bedroom and I also bought one for my coworker. We do need to prepare something for the vehicle. We have a planned escape route to head to higher, solid ground should something happen while we are at home, and we have a meeting destination should something happen while one or both of us are at work.
Earthquake is a risk in our area. Also power outages and given that we live near the port, oil spills and the resulting mess and toxic fumes. I have started pulling together an Emergency Kit and we have installed a rain collection tank for additional water should supplies be cut. We have also worked out emergency meeting places both within walking distance and driving distance of the house in case it is not safe. These radios or the little first aid kits would be a great addition the the house or car kits. Thanks!
We have signed up for a disaster preparedness workshop at our local community centre, and we have purchased a couple of hand crank flashlights, as well asLED flashlights that are scattered around the house. We have a small stash of food, water, and first aid supplies in the car. Unfortunately the tent and tarp we had hidden in the car in case of emergency were stolen!!
We have a meeting place picked out in case we are separated in an emergency situation and we also have a couple of emergency kits that we are always adding to. Any of these prizes would make a great addition!
Earthquakes, power outages, fires, etc. are a few of the risks in my neighbourhood. We have an emergency plan for the family.
My building will pancake like a Benetton garment factory in a snow storm with even the hint of a shake. I need to prepare for that.
I have a safety kit ready to go by the door.
first aid kid nearby, lots of water and pantry is stocked
I do have an earthquake kit underneath the bed incase it happens during the night or early morning.
I really need to get going on emergency preparedness. Winning this kit would be a great start!
Fire and earthquake risks so we have extra water in jugs in vehicles and home along with flashlights and first aid kits
Earthquakes are really our only risk and what comes with them; building damage, no water etc. We are not in Tsunami range thank goodness.
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nancyrobster at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/332932974335119360
thanks
We live in both an earthquake and Tsunami area. We have a pack ready and have also got a close friend that has build a shelter with food/water/heat and everything else that is needed. We are ready.
Earthquake! I keep a stockpile of food and an earthquake kit!
I have made emergency kits for everyone in my feeling, which includes food and water.
Earthquakes for sure. The house has an emergency supply kit (toiletries, food), we have extra clean water. And each kid has emergency kits for school and daycare.
We have an emergency kit that has water, food etc.
We went to an emergency preparedness course at the local community centre!
earthquake – we have earthquake kits and a meeting place!
we have our flashlights and candles and hand crank radio in a tupperware bin by the door
Keep water in case of emergency, like an earthquake, where there is a possibility of not having access to water for a while.
We have fully stocked earthquake kits in our apartment and our car, both equipped with emergency supplies for us and our 2 dogs.. It’s super important to keep your pets in mind when creating earthquake kits!
I have emergency kits in my house and in my car.
I put together a kit with food, water, crank flashlight, blankets.
earthquake .. got emergency kit and a hand crank flashlight
Earthquake. Our family keeps a kit in each room with water and food supply.
Living on Vancouver Island my biggest concerns are wind storms and earthquakes. We have a kit that can be used for either. I have enough food and water to last five days. The kit is also filled with medical supplies,flashlights,cash,shoes, clothing…basically everything we need to survive if we are unable to receive help. We also know where to go if our house has suffered extensive damage ie..Community Center.
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https://twitter.com/Dillysdoll/status/333626252986572800
I live in a forest fire area. I always keep a grab bag of stuff I’d need to take away with me in an emergency, and I keep a supply of water and canned food in storage in case of snowstorms or blackouts.