As many Albertans have had close calls with emergencies, such as wildfires in recent weeks, and have had to evacuate their homes on a moment’s notice, the province is encouraging Albertans to prepare themselves.
Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee said Monday that she wasn’t prepared when wildfires swept through Slave Lake, where she was living, in 2011.
“I didn’t have my kit ready, I didn’t have a plan, most of our community had issues trying to figure out how to get information they needed to be ready,” Larivee said.
Now, she’s advising Albertans to make sure they have a 72 hour emergency kit ready to go, just in case.
Officials said an emergency kit, for one person, and with all of the essentials, should cost at least $120 – the province released a list outlining what should be in an emergency kit:
- Jug of drinking water (5 litres)
- Bungee cords
- Camping stove
- Whistle, with compass
- Noodle soup cups
- Granola bars
- Oatmeal
- Hot chocolate
- Tea
- Manual can opener
- Candles, and a pot to hold it
- Duct tape
- Dust masks
- Emergency blanket
- First Aid Kit
- Garbage bags
- Glow sticks
- Hand sanitizer
- Matches
- Moist wipes
- Notebook
- Paper bag
- Pliers
- Hammer
- Radio (crank)
- Utility knife
- Screwdriver set
- Wrenches
- Work gloves
- Toilet paper
- Toiletry kit
- Utensils
- Duffle bag
- Containers
Amounts of each item should be tailored to the number of people in your family.
The province also encouraged Albertans to purchase an emergency vehicle kit, available for about $20 at various stores, and to not forget your pets, by putting together a kit that includes:
- Water bowl
- Food bowl
- Toy
- Blanket
- Leash and collar
- Travel kennel
In addition, more information on ways to prepare for different disasters with apps created by the Red Cross, and the provincial government.
With files from Shanelle Kaul
