You can't predict an emergency, but you can prepare for one!

Markham residents have a responsibility to themselves and their families to take the necessary steps of emergency preparedness.

All you have to do is take these simple steps:

1. Know the risks in your community,
2. Make a plan with your family,
3. Get a 72-hour emergency kit

Know the Risks

Markham assesses the hazards to the community at a minimum annually.  The potential hazards or threats that could cause an emergency in Markham are similar to those faced in most Greater Toronto Area municipalities.  The top ten hazards and associated threats include, but are not limited to:

• Major highways - transportation accidents that may involve hazardous goods
  
• Severe winter storms (blizzards, ice storms) causing travel and business disruption
  
• Severe summer storms (high wind/rain, tornadoes, hurricanes) with sustained rainfall and potential flash floods causing widespread property damage
  
• Water pipelines – contamination of water supply
  
• Climate change causing prolonged heat wave
  
• Major cyber attack causing prolonged disruption of service
  
• Major technical failure of power grid causing widespread multi-day power outage
  
• Major airports in or near area and flight path of large airliners – light aircraft accident or catastrophic airliner crash
  
• Epidemic of infectious disease outbreaks in man or animal in humans causing mass apprehension and reaction
  
• Major technical failure of communications systems causing widespread multi-day communications breakdown.
  

Make a Plan

Having a family emergency plan will save time and make real situations less stressful for you and your family.

There are a variety of online resources to help you make a family emergency plan.  All you need is about 30 minutes and you and your family can be on your way to BEING PREPARED.  You can make it a fun activity during the weekend and it will help to ensure peace of mind that you and your loved ones will be safe and secure in the event of an emergency in Markham.

Some things you might want to consider before getting started are:

• Safe exits from home and neighbourhood
  
• Meeting places to reunite with family or roommates
  
• Designated person to pick up children should you be unavailable
  
• Contact persons close-by and out-of-town
  
• Health and insurance information
  
• Places for your pet to stay
  
• Risks in your region
  
• Location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical panel, gas valve and floor drain

Get a 72-hour Emergency Kit

It is important that individuals and families prepare to take care of themselves for at least three days (72 hours) by having a Home Emergency Preparedness Kit.  If you have someone in your family with special needs ensure you include their special items in your home kit.  If you have pets, they will also need their own Pet Emergency Kit.

In the event of you or your family having to evacuate your home quickly, a “Grab and Go” Emergency Kit located close to your exit doors for each member of your household is recommended.

For every vehicle that you own, an Emergency Car Kit  will help to put you and your family at ease when traveling.

As an example, your basic emergency preparedness kit should include:

• Water – 4 litres per person per day (2 litres for drinking and 2 litres for sanitation and food preparation)
• Non perishable food l e.g. canned food, dried food, energy bars
• Manual can opener
• Wind up or battery powered radio and flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra keys for home and car
• Cash in small bills and change
• Change of clothes
• Emergency Blanket/sleeping bag
• Special items such as prescription medications, infant formula etc.

York Region Emergency Preparedness Guide

Markham has collaborated with York Region Emergency Management Office and the eight other York Region municipalities to produce the York Region Emergency Preparedness Guide – 2015. This Guide provides a complete list of items for your 72 Hour Emergency Kit and other types of emergency kits.

Get Your Emergency Preparedness Guide

Copies of York Region Emergency Preparedness guide are available free at the following locations:

• Markham Civic Centre, 101 Town Centre Blvd.
• Any Markham Public Library
• Any Markham Community Centre

Visit www.markham.ca or call 905-477-5530 for more details.

More information

For more information on Emergency Preparedness visit:

• www.ontario.ca/emo
• www.getprepared.ca
• www.york.ca

Remember, you can’t predict an emergency. But you can prepare for one.