Personal Safety and Preparedness – The Grab’n’Go Bag

In the event of an emergency, your personal comfort and well being is an essential. Compiling a Grab’n’Go bag will bring some peace of mind and assist you in your personal preparedness. It may be helpful to have a family discussion about establishing a home evacuation and reunification plan.

Have family or workplace discussion about how YOU can play your part in being prepared when an emergency occurs. Go through the RDN Personal Emergency Preparedness Guide Book and go through it with your whole family. Copies can be downloaded, or obtained by contacting the RDN at 390-4111, Protective Services.

A suggested Grab’n’Go Bag would contain:

• Battery flashlight/radio

• Personal medication for up to 72 hrs. (recent events appear to push this timeframe to one week)

• Basic first aid kit

• Personal items (glasses, contact products etc)

• Book/game

• Family photos

• Personal papers (photocopies of insurance papers, ID)

• Walking shoes

• Change of clothing

• Water bottle

• Snack (tea/coffee)

• Non perishable food

• Light weight emergency blankets

• Whistle and map

• Toiletries (toothbrush etc)

(Here’s a little trick – Leave your walking shoes under your bed with the flashlight in one shoe. No searching in the darkness or potentially cut feet when you need to get up in a hurry!)

EMERGENCY PLANNING FOR YOUR PET

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Of course you love your pet(s)!

Advance Planning is essential – it could save your pet’s life and make yours much easier during an emergency

1. Acquire a pet carrier (portable carrier) or crate for each house pet and familiarize the pet with the portable kennel

2. Be sure you're pet’s vaccinations and records are up to date.

3. Have a leash and properly fitting collar with current license or ID tag and vaccinations – a valid license is the best way to reunite owners and dogs.

4. Determine in your home the best location to place your pets during an emergency. Site should be away from windows and in a utility area, bathroom, kitchen or easily cleaned area.

5. Acquire an ample supply of *dry pet food.

6. Acquire plenty of newspaper kitty litter, plastic bags, cleanser and disinfectants to properly handle pet wastes.

7. Have non spill water and food bowls.

8. Have a week’s supply of any medications that your pet is taking.

9. Have photographs of your pets to aid in the identification of your pet, should it stray during an emergency

10. A blanket or towels should be a part of your Pet Emergency Kit.

If you plan to leave your house and leave your pet(s) behind, remember;

1. Birds must eat daily to survive. Use special food and water dispensers if you must leave them behind.

2. Never leave a cat with a dog even if the two are normally friendly.

3. Provide access to high places, such as counter tops, in case flooding occurs.

4. Difficult or dangerous animals should be left in special crates or cages to reduce the possibility of them getting loose.

*Store dry pet food in a plastic container in your freezer to extend shelf life.

Emergency Planning inquires can be directed to the Regional District of Nanaimo Protective Services Coordinator (250) 390-4111 or 1-877-607-4111

Shelter in Place Instructions

Some emergencies may involve the release of some form of chemical, biological radiological or nuclear materials. In such a circumstance, may be required to stay right where you are. It may be that the particular circumstances make that safer for you and emergency personnel than evacuating you immediately to a different location.

During an emergency, you will hear an official media release regarding the incident, and should you hear that people in you are apprised of the Order to Shelter in Place, that means that you should:

• Go inside your home or closest building to you as quickly as possible.

• Close all the doors, windows, fireplaces, vents or other openings. Use duct tape, foil or plastic wrap to seal leaks.

• Turn off all heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Close vents.

• Close drapes, curtains and shades. Stay away from external windows.

• Use stairwells where possible – limit the use of, or avoid elevators.

• Use telephones only if you require immediate emergency service.

• Turn on your radio or television for information updates

• You will be advised of the nature of the toxic substance that may have created exposure to the public, and the accompanying symptoms. You will be advised to seek medical attention at an identified location.

If you are sheltering in place, DO NOT:

• Call your children’s school or try to pick up your children. They will be safer sheltering in place at school than they would be riding in your vehicle through a potentially hazardous area.

• Risk the safety of your pets. If they can not be found immediately, shelter in place without them.

• Leave your building or home until you receive notification that the danger has passed.

You should always try to have enough emergency supplies on hand to last you and your family for 72 hours. Check out the Grab’n’Go article, or visit www.pep.bc.ca for further information on home emergency supplies.