Canadian Red Cross trivia
Sunday, June 17, 2012 at 10:45PM BY THE NUMBERS
2,500 – The number of disasters the Canadian Red Cross responded to in 2011.
23,000 – The number of Canadians forced from their homes due to floods and wildfires in just a 2 month period last spring.
6,000 – The number of Canadian Red Cross disaster response volunteers.
WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE IN YOUR EMERGENCY KIT to meet your needs at home or if evacuating
The Red Cross recommends that you keep a disaster preparedness kit in your home with enough supplies to meet your family’s needs for at least 72 hours. By taking some time now to store emergency food, water and other supplies, you can provide for your entire family.
Store these supplies together in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as suitcases on wheels or backpacks in case you need to evacuate your home:
- Water: During an emergency, tap water can become polluted or supply may be cut off. Store two litres of drinking water and two litres of water for washing per person, per day, keeping a 72 hour supply on hand for your family and any pets. Listen to public announcements about treating the water in your area after a disaster. Once per year, make use of your water supply and add fresh water to your kit.
- Food: Store at least a 72 hour supply of non-perishable food for each person. Select foods that are compact and lightweight, non-perishable and require no refrigeration, cooking, preparation or added water. Once per year, check the expiration dates of your food items. Ensure that there is enough for each member of your family.
- Manual can opener
- Crank or battery-operated flashlight, with extra batteries
- Crank or battery-operated radio, with extra batteries
- Extra keys, for house and car
- First aid kit
- Cash in small bills
- Special needs items - medications, baby formula and diapers, and equipment for people with disabilities. Learn more about plans for people with disabilities.
- Copy of your emergency plan
Reader Comments (1)
Hi, Karen here from Canadian Red Cross. Thanks for adding this important info to your blog!
Thank you for visiting, Karen. Keep up the good work.~Eileen Schuh, Author