"Do You Have A Home Winter Emergency Kit?"

With winter still a little distance away, considering the current warm weather we're having, Environment Canada reminds you to prepare a home emergency kit, if you don't already have one.  The kit shludl be able to to carry you through three days should a natural disaster occur. Meteorologist Natalie Hasell explains its importance.

"Your emergency is supposed to keep you and your family safe and secure for three days on your own, because that's how long it could take for the authorities to reach you if there's a natural disaster cutting off access to your area. That 72 hours is really important. You need to know you can be comfortable and do well during such an event."

She notes kits should include:

Two litres of water per person per day
Food that won't spoil - canned food, energy bars, dried foods
Can opener, preferably a manual one
Wind-up or battery powered flashlight and radio
First-aid kit
Extra keys for your car and your house
Clothing
Sleeping bags
Personal hygiene items
A charger for phones that aren't plugged in
Pet supplies
Food and formula for infants
Activities such as games
Copy of your home emergency plan
Important family documents, or copies
Cash, if power goes out rendering cash registers and ATM's inoperable for purchases
Prescription copies if you're on medication
Medications on hand
Plastic or paper plates, cups, and utensils
Something to purify water
Basic tools
Small fuel-operated stove and fuel
Whistles
Duct tape
Extra batteries for battery operated devices

Hasell adds St John's Ambulance, Salvation Army and Canadian Red Cross sell emergency kits.

Check out their information website: https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/