Emergency Preparedness Week, May 4 - 10

Emergency Preparedness Week is May 4 - 10. This year's theme is "Be Prepared. Know Your Risks." The National campaign encourages everyone to understand the risks in their area and learn what actions they can take to protect themselves and their households. 

Oxford County Paramedic Services is taking this opportunity to remind our communities that emergencies can happen any time of the year. The www.oxford72hours.ca website outlines some of the potential emergency risks for our area:

• Power outages: Most power outages are short-lived, however some can last days or even weeks.
• Weather: Tornadoes, high winds, thunderstorms, winter storms, floods, extreme heat and extreme cold are all potential severe weather events in Oxford County.
• Human Health: A human health emergency occurs if your health or well-being is at risk. Examples include infectious disease outbreaks, food and water safety issues and air quality concerns.
• Fires and explosions: This includes house fires, carbon monoxide exposure, and explosions from abandoned oil and gas wells.

Emergencies can happen without warning, which is why every household should have a fully stocked emergency preparedness kit. The kit should include supplies to prepare you to cope without electricity, heat and water or an evacuation for 72 hours and beyond. The www.oxford72hours.ca website lists all the items that should be included in every emergency preparedness kit. Every household is different, your emergency plan should consider everyone’s needs, including your pets, and divide up responsibilities to help keep your household safe during an emergency.

Oxford County has created two new videos as part of the emergency preparedness video series to help you prepare for emergencies. The Stay safe during heat events video offers tips to protect yourself and your loved ones during extreme heat events.

The Food safety tips during power outages video offers tips on how to keep you and your loved ones safe during prolonged power outages.

Other videos in the emergency preparedness video series include:

• How to shelter in place
• Creating a winter vehicle emergency preparedness kit
• Creating a home emergency kit
• Creating a grab-and-go emergency kit

For more information on emergency preparedness for your community, visit www.oxford72hours.ca.