At Home

Prepared BC: Guide for Apartments, Condos and Townhomes

Emergencies can happen when we least expect and often when household members are not together and then suddenly you need to think about their whereabouts. If you have children in school or elderly parents across town, you will want a plan in place to connect and know they are safe. It is recommended to be prepared for at least 72 hours, preferably a week. Your plan should include:

• Know the hazards in our region.
• Know and practice all possible safe exits from home and alternate routes out of your neighbourhood.
• Create meeting places to reunite with family and loved ones. Identify two places to meet. One right outside your home and another outside the community, such as a library, community center or place of worship. Make sure everyone knows the address and phone number of your second meeting place.
• Identify a friend to pick up children should you be unavailable.
• Create out-of-area contact cards for each family member. In an emergency the local phone lines could be overloaded; this out-of-area contact number may be easier to call.
• Social media sites will provide a way to get information out to family members during and after an emergency.
• Create emergency kits and grab-and-go bags. These should have copies of health, insurance and other important information.
• Have a plan in place for your pets.
• Note the location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical panel, gas valve and floor drain.
• Practice your plan with all household members. Ensure each member has a copy of the household plan.
• Familiarize yourself with emergency plans for your workplace, school, child's school or daycare and other relevant institutions.

Get household members together and prepare a household emergency plan. A household emergency plan can help to save lives!