Family Planning for Emergencies

Get your family ready for an emergency.

View the full 72 Hours Emergency Planning Manual.

Preparing for an emergency is important and something the whole family can do. By taking a few simple steps, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies and minimize the impact on yourself and your family.

Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do before, during and after an emergency. Meet as a family to develop your plan and put together an emergency kit. If you live alone, develop a plan and talk with neighbours and friends about your plan.

Personal Record of Important Information
Other Important Important Emergency Situations

Keep Emergency Numbers Handy

Keep a list of key telephone numbers and addresses near the home phone if you have one or a contact list on your cell phone, if applicable.

Choose an Out of Town Contact

Select someone who lives out of town to be your family’s contact point during an emergency. Plan to contact this person in case you are separated from your family during the emergency. This person should live far enough away that they will not be impacted by the same emergency. Ensure that everyone memorizes the contact’s name and information.

Develop a Home Escape Plan

Develop an escape plan by drawing a floor plan of your residence. Plan two emergency exits from each room of your home. Show everyone in your family where the emergency exits are located. Show them where the fire alarm is, and explain when and how to use it.

Practice emergency evacuation drills with all household members at least twice per year.

Keep your home escape plan visible where babysitters and children can see it. Be sure to include your entire household when making your home escape plan.

Tip: In any emergency, never use the elevators as they may not work if the power goes out.

Prepare a Family Emergency Kit

In an emergency you will need some basic supplies. You may be without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.

Although you may have some of the items already, such as a flashlight, battery operated or crank radio, food, water and blankets, the key is to make sure they are organized and easy to find should you need to evacuate (leave your home).

Keep your kit in a backpack or suitcase with wheels in an easy-to-reach, accessible location such as a front hall closet. Ensure that everyone in the household knows where the emergency kit is located.

View the Dedicated Emergency Kit Page

Smoke Alarms/Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms and Generators

The Ontario Fire Code requires every home in Ontario to have working smoke alarms on every level of the dwelling, outside of all sleeping areas. Also, a Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm is required outside of all sleeping areas when there are any natural gas appliances, a wood stove or fireplace, or an attached garage. The Fort Erie Fire Department strongly recommends the use of smoke and CO alarms with 10-year built-in batteries.

Generators and (CO) Alarms:

Generator owners should never use a generators inside a home or garage (even if the doors and windows are open).
Generators should only be installed/used outside, away from your home (20 feet).
Regularly check all Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms to ensure they are functioning properly.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning:

headache,
dizziness,
weakness,
nausea,
vomiting,
sleepiness,
and confusion.

If you or a family member are experiencing symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning exit your home and call 911.