Emergency Planning

Everyone’s situation is different, and emergencies can be especially challenging for people with medical conditions, disabilities, or those who rely on service animals. Taking time to plan ahead can help reduce stress and ensure you, and those who support you, are as prepared as possible.

If you or someone in your household has specific medical or accessibility needs, make sure your emergency plan reflects this. Consider including key information such as a brief medical history, copies of prescriptions, and contact details for health‑care providers, caregivers, or support services.

Your emergency kit should also include extra medications, medical supplies, and any items required to support daily needs. After an emergency, access to everyday services such as pharmacies, medical offices, or mobility supports may be limited or delayed.

If you rely on a service animal, include their needs in your emergency planning as well. This may involve packing extra food, water, medications, vaccination records, identification, and comfort items. It’s also helpful to identify places where service animals are permitted and to ensure others understand the role your service animal plays in supporting your independence and safety.

Sharing information with trusted friends, neighbours, or caregivers is another important step. This could include how to use medical equipment, administer medication, or care for a service animal if assistance is needed.

Quick Tips for Planning Ahead

• Keep a written list of medications, dosages, and medical conditions
• Pack extra medication, medical supplies, and mobility or assistive devices
• Include copies of prescriptions and important documents
• Identify trusted people who understand your medical or accessibility needs
• Plan for backup power for medical equipment, if applicable
• Pack supplies for service animals, including food, water, and documentation
• Download the Alertable app for emergency notifications and advisories

To learn more about inclusive and accessible emergency planning, including considerations for people with disabilities and service animals, please consult the guide for people with disabilities and Emergency preparedness for pets and service animals - Canada.ca

Tips for Parents and Caregivers

Helping children prepare for emergencies can make a big difference. When children understand what to expect and what to do, they often feel safer, less anxious, and more confident. Preparing together also helps build resilience and practical skills they can carry into adulthood.

Talk About Hazards and Emergencies

Start by teaching children about the types of emergencies that can happen in your area, such as power outages, severe weather, or flooding. Use simple, age-appropriate language and focus on what to do before, during, and after an emergency. Keep conversations calm and reassuring, and invite questions.

Make an Emergency Plan Together

Involving children in your household emergency plan helps them feel included and prepared.

Make sure children understand:

• Where to meet if you are separated
• How to contact trusted adults
• How to safely leave the home if evacuation is needed

Practice the plan regularly so it feels familiar. Teach children age-appropriate skills, such as:

• How to call emergency services
• When and how to seek help
• Basic safety steps, like staying low during smoke or following instructions from adults

It’s also important that children know what to do if an emergency happens while they are at school or another activity.

Using books, videos, or simple diagrams can help younger children understand and remember key messages.

Build an Emergency Kit Together

Preparing an emergency kit as a family helps children understand why supplies are important and where they are stored. In addition to basic necessities, consider including comfort items such as a favourite toy, stuffed animal, or book.

When children help pack the kit, they are more likely to remember what it’s for and feel reassured knowing it’s ready.

Teach Children How to Use 9‑1‑1

Knowing how and when to call 9‑1‑1 is an important life skill that can save lives.

Explain that 9‑1‑1 is used to get help from police, fire, or paramedics in an emergency. Help children understand what an emergency looks like, such as:

• Someone is seriously injured or not breathing
• There is a fire
• Someone is in immediate danger

Practice what to do if they need to call 9‑1‑1:

• Say their location
• Describe what is happening
• Stay on the line until the operator says it’s okay to hang up

Use pretend scenarios, videos, colouring pages, or interactive tools to make learning memorable, and explain that prank calls to 9‑1‑1 are illegal. Encourage children to memorize their home address and important phone numbers.

Quick Tips for Planning Ahead

• Talk about emergencies in calm, simple terms
• Involve children in making and practicing your emergency plan
• Practice calling 9‑1‑1 using pretend scenarios
• Build an emergency kit together and include comfort items
• Revisit plans regularly as children grow and routines change
• Download the Alertable app for emergency notifications and advisories

For more information on helping children cope before, during, and after emergencies, visit Evacuations and your mental health - Canada.ca

Pets are part of our families and should be included in emergency planning. Preparing ahead can help keep your pet safe and reduce stress if you need to evacuate or shelter in place.

Pet Emergency Kit Essentials

Have an emergency kit ready for each pet and store it with your household kit so it’s easy to grab. Your kit should include:

• Food, water, bowls, and paper towels
• A blanket and a favourite toy
• A leash, harness, and secure carrier
• Medications, medical records, and vaccination details
• A current photo of your pet
• An ID tag with your phone number and your veterinarian’s contact information
• Litter and waste bags, if needed

During an Emergency or Evacuation

If it’s safe to do so, always take your pet with you. Pets left behind can become injured, lost, or distressed. Remember to bring your pet emergency kit when you evacuate.

Some evacuation centres may not accept pets, except for service animals. Plan ahead by identifying:

• Pet‑friendly hotels or motels
• Friends or family who could care for your pet
• Boarding facilities or veterinarians with emergency options

If You’re Not Home

Before an emergency, arrange for a trusted neighbour to help your pet if needed. Make sure this person:

• Has access to your home
• Knows where your pet and emergency kit are located
• Is comfortable handling your pet

Returning Home

After an emergency, keep pets supervised. Familiar sights and smells may have changed, which can confuse pets and increase the risk of them getting lost. Watch for unusual behaviour and contact your veterinarian if you have concerns.

Quick Tips for Planning Ahead

• Prepare a pet emergency kit in advance
• Keep pets leashed or in carriers during emergencies
• Ensure your pet has up‑to‑date identification
• Make evacuation arrangements before an emergency happens
• Ask a trusted neighbour to help if you’re not home
• Download the Alertable app for emergency notifications and advisories

For more information, contact the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA).

Living in an apartment or condominium presents unique challenges during emergencies, such as shared spaces, high occupancy, and reliance on building systems. Preparing ahead can help keep you safe and reduce disruption during events such as medical events power outages, fires, severe weather, or evacuations.

Know Your Building and Contacts

Take time to understand how your building operates during an emergency.

• Be familiar with your building’s Fire Safety Plan and emergency procedures
• Keep contact numbers for building security, the superintendent, and property management easy to access
• Know how to receive updates from your property manager or condo board
• If you require assistance during an evacuation, ensure building management is aware of your needs

Make a Personal Emergency Plan

Your personal emergency plan should complement your building’s procedures.

• Identify a safe place to go if you must evacuate
• Plan how you will communicate with family, friends, or support persons
• Consider specific needs related to mobility, medical conditions, service animals, or pets
• Know what to do if an emergency happens while you are at home or away

Evacuations

Know your evacuation routes and be prepared to act quickly.

• Learn where emergency exits and stairwells are located
• Know where to meet if you are instructed to evacuate
• Follow instructions from emergency responders and building staff

If time and safety allow:

• Take your emergency preparedness kit
• Turn off lights and appliances (except your refrigerator)
• Lock your door

Never use elevators during a fire or power outage unless directed by emergency responders.

Power Failures

During a power outage, some building systems may not function normally.

• Water pumps may stop working, especially on upper floors
• Elevators, lighting, and heating or cooling systems may be affected

Keep bottled water on hand and use flashlights instead of candles.

Medical Emergencies

If a medical emergency occurs:

• Call 9‑1‑1 first
• Then notify building security or the superintendent so emergency responders can access the building and elevators

Prepare an Emergency Kit

In apartments and condos, space may be limited, but having a small, well‑organized kit is essential.

Store your kit in a place that is easy to access and consider a grab‑and‑go bag in case you need to evacuate quickly.

Quick Tips for Planning Ahead

• Know your building’s emergency procedures and exits
• Keep a small emergency kit that fits your space
• Sign up for emergency alerts and local notifications
• Include pets, service animals, and medical needs in your plan
• Talk with building management about emergency preparedness
• Download the Alertable app for emergency notifications and advisories

Preparing ahead helps protect you, your neighbours, and first responders during an emergency. Small steps taken now can make a big difference when it matters most.

Emergencies can be especially challenging for seniors and those who support them. Planning ahead helps reduce stress, maintain independence, and ensure that needed supports are available during and after an emergency.

Caregivers play an important role in emergency preparedness, and planning together is one of the best ways to stay safe.

Know the Risks

Be aware of the types of emergencies that may occur in your community, such as severe weather, power outages, flooding, or heat events. Understanding local risks helps you plan appropriate steps to stay safe.

If the senior you support lives in an apartment, condominium, or retirement setting, learn the building’s emergency procedures and evacuation plans.

Make an Emergency Plan

An emergency plan should reflect personal needs and daily routines.

Consider the following in your plan:

• How emergency information will be received and shared
• Who will provide help if support is needed
• Arrangements for medications, mobility aids, medical equipment, or service animals
• What to do if an emergency happens while the caregiver is not present
• Where to go if evacuation is required

Keep contact information for family members, caregivers, neighbours, and healthcare providers up to date and easy to access.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Every household should have an emergency kit that supports at least 72 hours. For seniors, this kit should also include items that support health, comfort, and mobility.

Consider including:

• Water, non‑perishable food, and easy‑open containers
• Medications, medical supplies, and copies of prescriptions
• A list of medical conditions, allergies, and health‑care contacts
• Mobility or assistive devices, such as glasses, hearing aids, or walkers
• Flashlight, batteries, and a battery‑powered or crank radio
• Copies of important documents
• Comfort items, such as a blanket or personal items

Store the kit in an easy-to-reach location and review its contents regularly.

Plan for Power Outages and Extreme Temperatures

Power outages can affect lighting, heating or cooling, elevators, and medical devices.

• Identify backup power options for critical medical equipment, if applicable
• Keep extra blankets for cold weather and cooling items for heat events
• Follow local guidance on warming or cooling centres when conditions are unsafe
• Check in on seniors who live alone, if safe to do so

Stay Informed

• Sign up for emergency alerts on your mobile device
• Monitor trusted local sources for updates and instructions
• Caregivers should ensure seniors understand how to recognize alerts and what actions to take

Supporting Seniors After an Emergency

After an emergency, routines and surroundings may feel unfamiliar or overwhelming. Monitor for signs of stress, confusion, or changes in behaviour, and seek medical or community support if needed.

Quick Tips for Planning Ahead

• Make an emergency plan that reflects medical and mobility needs
• Keep medications and important information easy to grab
• Prepare an emergency kit and review it regularly
• Identify who will help if the caregiver cannot be there
• Download the Alertable app for emergency notifications and advisories

Planning ahead helps seniors remain safe, supported, and prepared, no matter the situation. Caregivers and communities play a key role in ensuring no one faces an emergency alone.