June 9, 2022
Do you have an emergency supply kit ready to go?
I was showing clients a property downtown three weeks ago, when that nasty storm hit Ottawa. As my clients and I were preparing to leave the property, the sky blackened and the rain began. We stood on the porch watching, waiting for a moment to dash to our cars. And then we huddled on the porch as the rain began to pound down. It was time to go back inside the property, and just as we got back in (it took a few wet moments remembering the code and unlocking the door) the thunder and lightening struck. It was unnerving to say the least.
While driving home afterwards, in still very windy conditions, I was worried about my pup who was all alone at home, and my kitty who was outside in the storm. And then I started thinking about what if I had to evacuate my home for any reason at all. What would I take? What would I have time to take? And what do I do in the event of a tornado? My only experience up until 2018, when a tornado destroyed a good part of Dunrobin, Bruce Pit, and Arlington Woods, was with Dorothy’s tornado in the Wizard of Oz. Really, what should I do in the event of a tornado?
Once you hear the tornado warning, if you are at home, the best place to be is in the basement or an interior room away from windows. Don’t forget your pets. If you are outside seek shelter immediately inside a sturdy building, and away from windows. Don’t forget your pets. Shed and storage facilities are not safe. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in the nearest ditch, ravine, or culvert and shield your head with your hands. Don’t forget your pets. And if you are in a vehicle, the best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter, or leave your vehicle and lie flat in the nearest ditch, ravine, or culvert and shield your head with your hands. And don’t forget your pets.
So, if you need to evacuate your home, there are plenty of government websites that provide a list of items to put in your family emergency supply kit. The ones that struck me the most were to keep photocopies of drivers’ licenses, health cards etc. in a waterproof container, a list of nearby hotels that are pet friendly, and a pre-arranged communication plan in case you and your family become separated. And the list goes on. You can’t take everything but it helps to know what is important and that it is already packed and ready to go when you may only have minutes to grab it and run.
Do you have your emergency supply kit ready to go?
Check out my website, www.janescott.ca for links to Emergency Supply lists for you, your family, and your pets.
