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You can never be truly prepared for an emergency, but there are a number of things that you can do to mitigate the effects of an emergency. This page has been designed with an eye toward providing you with some of that valuable information.
Thank you to Emergency Management Ontario for providing much of the information found on this page. For more information on Emergency/Disaster Preparedness, visit their website www.emergencymanagementontario.ca
On This Page:
By-law 04-05: A By-law to Establish a Peacetime Emergency Plan for the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley received third reading February 9th, 2004. The By-law puts into place the Township's Emergency Response Plan. The plan is designed to provide a framework for a coordinated response to a variety of potential emergency situations.
Emergency Management Ontario suggests that you have on hand a kit containing the following items; you should have one kit for each member of your household.
Your kit should contain:
For more information on the 72 Hour Survival Kit, visit the website of Emergency Management Ontario at www.emergencymangementontario.ca
Whether in your home or on the road, you need to be prepared for any eventuality. The following list of items should be kept in your car:
Remember - In an emergency people come first. However, it never hurts to be prepared. When putting together 72 Hour Kits for yourself and the other members of your household, don't forget to provide for your pets. The following items can be set aside for care of your pets during an emergency:
If you suspect that your drinking water supply is contaminated:
OR
OR
Without power, a full chest freezer will keep everything frozen for about two days if kept closed. A refrigerator will keep food cool for 4-6 hours.
"Remember, if in doubt, throw it out!"
Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) has outlined some basic procedures for various types of disasters/emergencies.
What to do during an earthquake depends largely on where you are during the quake.
If You Are Inside
EMO advises you to stay inside, away from windows. If possible they suggest you move yourself under a heavy desk or table and hang on. If this isn't possible, they advise you to flatten yourself against an interior wall and protect your head and neck.
If You Are Outside
The EMO suggests you are to move away from buildings or structures and into an open area. Stay away from power lines and downed electrical wires.
If You Are In A Car
Stop the car and stay in it. During an earthquake avoid bridges, overpasses, underpasses, buildings or anything that can fall onto your car.
During a tornado your reaction will be determined by your surroundings:
If You Are Inside
Go to the basement right away. In areas where there are no basements, lie flat (or crouch) under heavy furniture in a small inner room or stairwell. Stay away from windows.
If You Are Outside
If you have no shelter, lie down in a ditch or ravine and protect your head and neck.
If You Are In Your Car
Leave your car and move away from it. Your car could be blown about and may roll over you. Once you have moved away from the car, follow the directions above.
The EMO advises that you follow these instructions during a severe lightning storm:
If You Are Inside
Stay inside away from windows, doors, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, metal pipes, sinks or electrical charge conductors. The EMO recommends unplugging TVs, radios, toasters and other electrical appliances. Do not use the telephone or other electrical equipment.
If You Are Outside
Find shelter wherever possible; the EMO recommends seeking out a building, cave or depressed area. If you are unable to find shelter, crouch down low with your feet close together and your head down. Do not lie flat - this will increase the risk of being electrocuted. Keep away from telephone and power lines, fences, trees and hilltops. Stay off bicycles, motorcycles and tractors.
If You Are In Your Car
Stop your car and stay inside. Don't stop the car near power lines or trees which could fall.
During a flood, Emergency Management Ontario suggests that you take the following actions to minimize the damage to your home:
When your power is out, you may be introducing potential hazards to your home. Please review the following tips and take extra precautions to ensure that everyone stays safe. If you have any questions, contact your Fire Department at 498-2460.
Use flashlights whenever possible. If you must use candles, take extreme care.
Keep all matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet.
Ensure that all elements and ovens are OFF and that nothing has been left on top of the stove.
Smoke alarms electrically connected to your home’s AC power supply will not work when the power is out unless they have battery back-ups. Find out what type of alarms you have in your home and ensure you are protected by battery operated smoke alarms in the event of a power failure. Test all smoke alarms now.
Ensure everyone in the home knows what to do in the event of fire. Who is going to look after the children or older adults? Where do you want everyone to meet outside the home? Call the fire department from a neighbour’s home. Everyone should have at least one phone (not cordless) that works during a power failure.
In the event that you are asked to evacuate your home you will be instructed as to the appropriate emergency shelter location. Emergency Management Ontario has the following tips for those who are asked to leave their homes:
Prolonged Winter Evacuations - If you have to evacuate your home for a prolonged period during a winter power failure, drain the water from the plumbing system. Starting at the top of the house open all taps and flush toilets several times, and open the drain valve in the basement. Drain your hot water tank by attaching a hose to the tank drain valve and running it to the basement floor drain (if you drain a gas-fired water tank, the pilot light should be turned off - the local gas supplier should be called to re-light it). Unhook washing machine hoses and drain.
To learn more about Emergency Preparedness, including how to cope with the after effects of an emergency, please visit any of the websites listed below.
Emergency Management Ontario
www.emergencymanagementontario.ca
www.ontario.ca/be prepared
Canadian Red Cross
www.redcross.ca
St. John's Ambulance
Canadian Headquarters
http://www.sja.ca/English/
Emergency Preparedness - Public Safety Canada
https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/mrgnc-mngmnt/mrgnc-prprdnss/index-en.aspx
Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley, 6544 New Dublin Rd, RR 2 Addison, ON, K0E 1A0
Tel. 613-345-7480 or 1-800-492-3175, Fax. 613-345-7235, Email: mail@ektwp.ca
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.