Disasters and emergencies come in all types. Burlington may experience several weather related emergencies, including flooding, high winds, power outages, severe winter storms, severe summer storms or drought.
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know that the City declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and we are working on building our climate resiliency. But are you and your family ready?
May 7-13 is Emergency Preparedness Week. The Take Action Burlington blog is all about real steps and actions people can take to increase their resilience. During Emergency Preparedness Week, we’re encouraging everyone to take these easily achievable steps to being prepared for an emergency: make a plan, build a 72-hour kit, and stay informed.
Make a plan
Make a plan for what you and your family will do in an emergency or disaster. What will you do if you can’t access your home or if your family is split up when a large-scale emergency or disaster happens? What will you do if there is no electricity for a prolonged period in the winter?
It’s important that you and your family have a step-by-step action plan in case of emergencies. Involve all your family members in the planning process and regularly discuss and update your plan.
Build a 72-hour kit
Everyone should have basic essentials to last 72-hours in an emergency. Keep the kit in a location that is safe from flooding and easily accessible. Be sure to check food, water and medication expiry dates and replace what is nearing expiration.
A kit should include:
- A basic first-aid kit
- A battery-powered radio
- A small amount of cash
- Blankets
- Copies of your important documents
- Flashlights and batteries
- Warm clothes
- Water bottles
- A one-week supply of medications for your family and pets
- A three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Twelve litres of water per person
Stay informed
It is important to follow trust-worthy sources of information. In an emergency, the City of Burlington’s social media channels (@cityburlington) and our online newsfeeds will be used. Subscribe to all of the City’s newsfeeds at burlington.ca/subscribe.
Another way to stay informed is by subscribing to Alert Burlington. Alert Burlington is Burlington’s public notification system for community emergencies. Residents and anyone who works within Burlington are encouraged to subscribe to the free community alert service.
In the event of a large-scale community emergency, Alert Burlington subscribers will receive important messages by text, email or recorded phone message to anyone who subscribes and lives or works within the affected area(s). Messages can also be sent out in various languages, depending on your communication preferences.
To register, go to burlington.ca/alertburlington. You will be asked to create an account with your name, address and mobile phone number, land-line phone number and/or email address.
For those who have registered in the past year, Emergency Preparedness Week is the perfect opportunity to log into your Alert Burlington profile and confirm that your information remains up-to-date. More information is available at burlington.ca/alertburlington
For all this information, plus links to building an emergency kit, what to do in specific emergencies and more visit burlington.ca/emergencyprep.
Information Booths
During Emergency Preparedness Week, the Fire Department will have information booths throughout the City, including at various community centres, Burlington Centre Mall and the Central Branch of Burlington Public Library. Residents and visitors can stop by to learn more about emergency preparedness. Visit events.burlington.ca to find a location near you.
Take Action, Burlington. Don’t be caught off-guard. A little preparation now can greatly reduce the negative impacts an emergency can have on you and your family.
Take Action Burlington 