The slow ascension to preparedness can start with one can of soup or a roll of toilet paper.
Even though itB次元官网网址檚 her bread and butter, Erin Stockill B次元官网网址� who heads the Saanich Emergency Program B次元官网网址� says the learning never ends.
Feeling prepared can be the reward itself.
B次元官网网址淲e have the luxury of a warning. We know these weather events are coming. Why not make it a priority? It can ease the stress and trepidation when you take ownership of the preparedness in our hands,B次元官网网址� Stockill said.
Small routine steps are the easiest. If forewarned of wild weather ahead, keep the cell phone charged and donB次元官网网址檛 let the vehicles get below a half tank or half charge.
B次元官网网址�(TheyB次元官网网址檙e) really simple, practical things people can do to take steps toward preparedness,B次元官网网址� she said.
With residents facing the first storms of 2024 B次元官网网址� wind whipped the coast recently and next up, communities across the province face temperatures shockingly lower than seasonal norms B次元官网网址� offer a prime time to start.
A special weather statement in effect says 'a wintry mix of weather is on its way'. Take time to:
B次元官网网址� Saanich Emergency Program (@SaanichEP)
鉂勶笍identify a winter weather buddy - check in with each other.
馃敠Ensure your emergency kit is stocked - it will come in handy in a power outage.
Learn more:
Temperatures as low as -9 C are forecast for Greater Victoria starting Thursday (Jan. 11) night. After that, the chance of flurries clears, according to Environment Canada, but the chill remains into next week.
Stockill notes itB次元官网网址檚 no surprise weB次元官网网址檙e experiencing more extreme weather on a more regular basis.
B次元官网网址淲e have really strong emergency programs across the region, across the Island,B次元官网网址� Stockill said. B次元官网网址淲e want to empower residents that they are the experts.B次元官网网址�
Online checklists, adaptable plans and suggestions set residents up as the experts in their own emergency preparedness.
A 2018 survey showed time, cost, space and complacency were the biggest barriers, Stockill said. Her goal is to help folks leap those hurdles B次元官网网址� and it doesnB次元官网网址檛 necessarily mean going out to buy a big expensive emergency kit.
B次元官网网址淕rab a Rubbermaid bin, walk around your house or apartment, and most people would be surprised to know they have more emergency supplies on hand than they might think,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淣ext time you go shopping and soupB次元官网网址檚 on sale B次元官网网址� grab two.B次元官网网址�
If space is the issue, slit open the living room ottoman and make it your emergency kit.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a layer of creativity involved,B次元官网网址� she said.
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Planning starts with that extra can of soup, some bottled water, batteries and other basics, but B次元官网网址渘o preparedness kit should look the sameB次元官网网址� because each family unit is unique.
The needs of seniors, infants and any variety of pets are different.
B次元官网网址淭hings that will cater to the unique needs of your family will ensure the comfort of the needs of your family,B次元官网网址� she said.
Ideally every home has an emergency kit B次元官网网址� with food, water flashlight, first aid kit, medication and those individualized family needs B次元官网网址� to dig into during a power outage. That should cover every member of the household for seven days.
Maybe the next step in the preparedness progression is a grab-and-go bag, something Stockill said became useful to households facing sudden evacuations during wildfires this summer.
ThatB次元官网网址檚 the goal of the bag, a personalized kit for each member of the family that will keep them comfy with 24 hours worth of essentials. Those can include water, a snack, pastimes such as book or games, and information such as insurance documents on a protected USB drive.
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Moving on the path of readiness, the car and desk kits might be next.
A former West Shore resident, Stockill remembers a light snow turning to a blinding storm she had to stop for once during her commute home. ItB次元官网网址檚 a stark reminder of how quickly conditions can change. A car kit can have extra warm clothes, window scraper, jumper cables, a shovel B次元官网网址� things to help wait out a change in the situation.
And donB次元官网网址檛 forget to revisit those kits. Use a birthday, or routine smoke detector testing or other routine time to revisit those kits. To avoid snacking on a five-year-old power bar when in a dire situation, replace and replenish things like snacks and batteries.
Below-zero temperatures are expected in some parts of the region over the coming days. Be prepared for winter conditions in and on regional trails. Cycling commuters without winter bike tires may consider alternative transportation if winter conditions are present.
B次元官网网址� CRD (@crd_bc)
While the steps are small and can add up incrementally, key elements to preparedness and resilience are free.
A walk around outdoors and a home hazard hunt can avoid potential problems B次元官网网址� for example, draining taps ahead of a deep freeze or securing stuff ahead of a wind storm.
And while youB次元官网网址檙e out there, knock on the neighbourB次元官网网址檚 door. When facing extreme heat or cold, snow, flooding or fire your friends could be next door.
B次元官网网址淭he reality is neighbours will be our first help, letB次元官网网址檚 help each other,B次元官网网址� Stockill said. B次元官网网址淚t doesnB次元官网网址檛 cost anything to knock on the door, introduce yourself and maybe find out how you can help them.B次元官网网址�
Stockill runs the emergency program through Saanich fire (online at ), but most communities offer programs.
B次元官网网址淲e love helping people take those steps toward preparedness and resilience.B次元官网网址�
Find a guide to emergency preparedness in the Capital Region online at .
