From the recent ice storm in April to the severe windstorm of May 2022, the weather is getting wilder in the Kawarthas and now’s the time to plan ahead for the unexpected, officials say as Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week) in Canada comes to a close.
EP Week is a national awareness initiative that encourages people to take action to ensure they’re prepared to protect themselves, their families, and their community during an emergency. Kawartha Lakes marked EP Week, which ran from May 4 to 10, by sharing tips for staying safe and being prepared.
“With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe, it’s more important than ever to be prepared,” Terry Jones, Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service chief, told kawarthaNOW.
“The recent ice storm showed how quickly conditions can change. Having a plan and an emergency kit helps protect your family and supports first responders during critical times,” the chief added.
Kawartha Lakes encourages residents to prepare themselves and their families by recognizing the risks, developing an emergency kit, and planning according.
“By implementing straightforward measures, you can reinforce your preparedness for a variety of situations, regardless of when or where they may occur,” a media release noted.
The key actions shared by the municipality are listed below.
Understand the risk
Knowing the specific risks relevant to the Kawartha Lakes community is crucial for effective preparation. Whether it is extreme weather events or power outages, being aware of potential hazards enables better responsiveness. Additionally, readiness for less probable occurrences is equally important.
For more information on preparing for emergencies in Kawartha Lakes, visit the municipality’s website.
Make a plan
Creating and regularly practising an emergency plan allows families to respond effectively when faced with an emergency. This includes making and practising a home escape plan.
Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit
Be ready in the event of an emergency by preparing a 72-hour emergency kit stocked with essential supplies for each family member, including pets, for at least three days during any kind of emergency that may occur.
To learn how to develop a plan and build an emergency preparedness kit, visit the Government of Canada’s website.
Kawarthas Lakes resident can stay connected with the municipality for the latest updates during an emergency.
“We do our best to communicate to residents in as many ways as possible,” the municipality noted.
To receive emergency management updates as they are sent, subscribe to receive municipal news via email by visiting the City of Kawartha Lakes website at www.kawarthalakes.ca.
Kawartha Lakes also posts its news and updates on social media.
During an emergency event, if internet or cell phone data is not accessible, community members can tune into local radio stations Bounce Radio 91.9 or Pure Country 105 for municipal news and updates.
Introduced in 1996, EP Week is held annually during the first full week of May. It’s intended to help motivate Canadians “to take practical steps towards fortifying their readiness to protect their families in case of emergencies.”
