Emergency Planning & Preparedness

Power outages can happen for many reasons - severe weather, equipment failure, animal contact, fallen trees, motor vehicle collisions or planned line services.

See below for a few tips to keep you prepared.

Before the power goes out

• Have emergency light sources (flashlights, batteries, rechargeable flashlights) in all major rooms of your house such as the kitchen, hallways, family rooms, and bedrooms.
• Consider a portable mobile device charger that can keep your phone charged without electricity.
• Have several coolers or ice chests on hand (inexpensive Styrofoam coolers will work), and get a supply of ice for food storage in the event of a long-term power outage.
• Install surge protectors in your home to safeguard valuable electronic equipment such as computers and home entertainment systems.
• Make sure you have at least one vehicle with no less than half a tank of fuel; gas pumps are electrically operated and gas stations will shut down during a power outage.

 During a power outage

• First check to see if your neighbours have power. If you are the only home without electricity, check the main fuse in your electric service panel or fuse box to see if the main circuit breaker has been tripped or if a fuse has blown. If your neighbours don't have electricity either, then you know there has been a power outage in your area.
• Turn off all major non-essential appliances such as your electric range and washer/dryer. Appliances and tools left switched on will start up automatically when your power is restored; turning them off prevents injury or fire.
• Avoid opening the fridge unless necessary.  See "Managing food without power" below.
• If you light candles, use candle holders and NEVER leave burning candles unattended.

Stay up-to-date on power outage information, including outage maps, by visiting the GrandBridge website. You can also contact:

Flooding is a common occurrence in Cambridge during the spring months of March-May, but it can happen at any time.

Prepare your family for floods by putting together an Emergency Preparedness Kit and preparing your property for potential flooding.

Prepare your property:

Hazardous materials can pose a great danger to you and your family. In the event of an emergency where hazardous materials may have been released into the atmosphere, authorities may instruct you to shelter in place.

This is a precaution aimed to keep you and your family safe while remaining in your home. If you are told to shelter-in-place, take your children and pets indoors immediately.

While gathering your family, you can provide a minimal amount of protection to your ability to breathe by covering your mouth and nose with a damp cloth.

Shelter-in-place

Shelter-in-place is a call to action when there is the potential of harmful air that you could be exposed to. Some chemicals are odourless, tasteless and invisible.

This is a precaution aimed to keep you safe while remaining indoors. (This is not the same thing as going to a shelter in case of a storm.) Shelter-in-place means selecting a small, interior room, with no or few windows, and taking refuge there. 

Contaminants

Chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants may be released accidently into the environment. Should this occur, information will be provided by local authorities on television and radio stations on how to protect you and your family. Because information will most likely be provided on television and radio, government websites, social media or wireless public alerting, it is important to keep a TV or radio on, even during the workday. The important thing is for you to follow instructions of local authorities and know what to do if they advise you to shelter-in-place.

If the need to shelter in place should arise, local authorities will typically broadcast through TV, radio, government websites, social media or wireless public alerting. Alert Ready and/or Alert Waterloo Region

Severe winter weather includes ice storms, blizzards, extreme cold, and other severe winter storms that pose a threat to life, property, or the environment. Winter storms can bring extreme temperatures, extended power failures, loss of communication services, and dangerous road conditions. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, you should know how to prepare your home and your car before a winter storm hits.

Before the storm:

• Check and restock your emergency kit; make sure you have extra blankets, batteries, emergency food and water supply, etc. ready to go before the storm hits. Even though we can’t always predict extreme cold in advance, weather forecasts can sometimes give you several days of notice to prepare. 
• For older adults, keep an easy-to-read thermometer inside your home. If you or a loved one are over 65 years old, place an easy-to-read thermometer in an indoor location where you will see it frequently. Our ability to feel a change in temperature decreases with age. Older adults are more susceptible to health problems caused by cold. Check the temperature of your home often during the winter months.
• Expect stores to be busy - buy emergency supplies in advance
• Plan to be without electricity and heat for 72 hours
• Winterize your vehicle - ensure you have snow tires installed well in advance of the winter storm season, and have an emergency car kit.
• Make a communications plan for your family - how are you going to get in contact with each other if you’re away from home when the storm hits? How are you going to get everyone home? 
• Make a plan to check in with neighbours, family, friends and anyone else who may need your help or whose help you may need.
• Prepare a plan to help your family evacuate if needed.

During the storm:

• Keep warm; change out of wet clothing, wear multiple layers, keep plenty of blankets available.
• Stay indoors, if you must go out, dress for the weather to avoid serious cold-related injuries.
• Use your emergency kit.
• Avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.
  • If you must drive, keep on main roads and avoid unplowed side roads.
• Do NOT use propane stoves or barbecues indoors. They release deadly carbon monoxide fumes when used indoors.
• If you have pets, bring them indoors and make sure they are dry. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they have access to unfrozen water.
• Run a trickle of water from taps to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Consult safety manual when using space heaters - keep heat sources at least three feet away from furniture and curtains.
• Check in with neighbours, family, and friends.
• Evacuate if necessary or if advised to do so from officials.
• If you need access to a warming space, the Region of Waterloo has a list: Warming, Cooling and Clean Air Spaces - Region of Waterloo

After the storm:

• If power in your home remains out beyond 72 hours, consider going to an emergency shelter (if available) or staying with friends and family.
• Consult your utility company before reconnecting power and gas.
• Check in with neighbours, family, and friends.
• Safely begin to clear debris around your property - fallen tree branches, shovel snow, etc.
• Keep away from any fallen power lines and do not attempt to remove debris near or on power lines.
• Check with Region of Waterloo for debris collection schedules.

Heat and sun exposure could lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. It is important to note the symptoms of these conditions, to better detect them in the event of a medical emergency. 

A generator can make a huge difference in your family's comfort during an emergency, but they pose an increased risk if not used correctly. If using a generator, always be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions and keep the following tips in mind:

Carbon monoxide safety

• Do not use a generator indoors or in partially enclosed spaces such as homes, garages, and crawl spaces - even those areas with partial ventilation.
• Do not use near open doors and windows. Using fans will not prevent carbon monoxide build-up in the home. Do not place the generator in front of open windows.
• Remember that carbon monoxide fumes emitted by gasoline, propane, diesel or gas engines are odourless and can be fatal. 
• Install carbon monoxide alarms inside your home to alert you of dangerous levels. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommended placement.

For more information on Carbon Monoxide poisoning

Reduce the risk of shock or electrocution

• Always connect the generator to the appliances with heavy-duty extension cords.
• Never hook up a generator directly into your home power supply. It could increase the voltage or could cause a surge to the outside power lines and potentially injure or electrocute an unaware utility lineman. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices.
• Use a qualified electrician to install the appropriate equipment in accordance with local electrical codes, or ask your utility company to install an appropriate power transfer switch.

Fire safety

• Keep your generator outside and fuel your generator outside.
• Do not store fuel for your generator inside your house. Gasoline, propane, kerosene, diesel and other flammable liquids should be stored outside living areas in properly labeled, non-glass safety containers.
• Do not store fuel near a fuel-burning appliance, for example a gas stove.
• If the fuel is spilled or the container is not sealed properly, invisible vapors from the fuel can travel along the ground and be ignited by the appliance's pilot light or by arcs from electric switches.
• Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it cool down. Gasoline or other flammable liquids spilled on hot engine parts could ignite, and invisible vapors from the fuel can travel along the ground and be ignited by the generator's pilot light or by arcs from electric switches in the appliance.

An emergency plan ensures that you and your loved ones are well-equipped to safely respond to an emergency. In eight simple steps, you can create a family emergency plan!

Create your plan today: getprepared.gc.ca

Learn the basics: become familiar with general food safety, so you can better prepare in the event of an emergency. 

Assessing your personal needs will assist you in preparing an emergency food supply.

Food Safety - Vulnerable Populations 

Knowing how to respond confidently in the event of an emergency can make all the difference. Benefits to learning first-aid include: 

• Saving Lives: Ability to act quickly and effectively in an emergency
• Reducing Injury Severity: Minimize significant injuries with prompt care
• Empowering Self-Reliance: Confidence in your ability to care for yourself and others in the event of an emergency
• Safety: Being equipped with the critical skills to create a safer environment at home, work or within a community

Learn first-aid with Canadian Red Cross: First Aid Basics Workshop - Canadian Red Cross