Security in an Emergency

NOTE TO EDITORS: The following is a feature story from the Emergency Management Office.

Christmas may be over, but the gift of peace of mind during a winter storm is always in season.

A car emergency kit is as easy as wrapping a small shovel, sand or gravel for traction, and some chocolate in a brightly coloured bag.

It is the kind of gift Carolyn Young, municipal clerk in Annapolis Co., has given her children because she says preparedness is in her blood. Volunteering with the Red Cross and the regional emergency management organization for many years has helped her see the value of emergency planning and 72-hour emergency kits.

"My children say it's embarrassing to have a mother who sends them to university with an emergency kit," said Ms. Young. "But they know how to brush their teeth in a half-cup of water and how to get by with little or nothing, because in an emergency, you might have to do that."

Part of the plan is knowing how to get in touch in an emergency.

"With independent adult children, we have an in-province contact and an out-of-province contact in case an emergency affects all of Nova Scotia," said Ms. Young. "We can stay in touch by cellphone, and let each other know we're safe or if we need help."

Being ready for winter storms is similar to being ready for a hurricane or other emergencies. The basics are a plan for dealing with the first 72 hours and a kit to support that plan. Whether it's an Alberta clipper or a tropical storm, people will want non-perishable foods, water, battery-operated radio and flashlights and batteries. Medication for everyone for 72 hours and a plan for pets is important for some. Just as in a hurricane, during a winter storm, people need to be aware of the weather forecast.

The big difference is temperature. The car winter safety kit helps on freezing roads. At home, keep warm by having blankets or extra clothes in easy reach.

Carolyn has a back-up source of heat, a wood stove.

Many Nova Scotians make plans for winter including upgraded tires for driving on slippery roads, insulation and storm windows for the house, and back-up plans for school-aged children for storm days. With a little more preparation, families can be safe and comfortable for up to 72 hours in an emergency.

For more information on how to prepare a kit, visit http://emo.gov.ns.ca/content/prepare-kit .