Canadian Red Cross shares 3 key safety tips ahead of Emergency Preparedness Week

The Canadian Red Cross says being prepared for community-specific risks, having a plan and an emergency kit are key to emergency preparedness.

The Canadian Red Cross (CRC) is reminding people to prepare, plan and be ready for an emergency.

Emergency Preparedness Week is an annual campaign led by Public Safety Canada and takes place next week.

“This year, wildfire and flood seasons have started earlier than usual in parts of the country,” Mark Holzer with the CRC said in a press release. “While we can’t predict when emergencies will happen, we can be ready when they do.”

Holzer says the three key safety steps are:

• to know the risks;
• make a plan; and
• build a kit.

The top emergency items he recommends include food, water, clothing, a flashlight and important documents like a copy of your health records and insurance.

He says the kits should be easy to carry and to find in your home when disaster strikes.

“People that are better prepared have a better outcome following these events,” Holzer said. “So they’re a little bit more self-reliant and know what to expect because they have a plan.”

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According to the CRC, about four out of 10 households have some level of preparedness.

“It does reduce some of the stress,” says Holzer. “Not entirely, but a little better.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Brandon Lynch