Know Your Space and Make It Safe!
Learning about your home before a disaster will make you and your family safer when one happens. Being proactive before disaster strikes will help protect you and your property.
For a quick reference guide to preparing your space you can download Know Your Space Make It Safe from the Prepare Yourself Guide.
Secure Your Space
- Anchor items such as medical equipment, heavy appliances, bookcases, pictures and hanging plants.
- Place heavy objects on low shelves.
- Move beds away from heavy picture frames and windows.
- Remove barriers such as bookcases which may block your safe exit after an earthquake.
- Install security night lights to provide emergency lighting if the power goes off.
- Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
Home/Tenants Insurance
Purchasing homeowner or tenant insurance is an important step toward emergency preparedness and disaster recovery. Insurance helps cover out-of-pocket expenses as a result of an emergency (likely referred to as Alternate Living Expenses in your policy). In the long-term, insurance will help fund the costs of repairing or replacing your home and contents, providing some financial security.
- Keep your insurance coverage up to date.
- Understand your homeowner or tenant insurance policy in detail including what damages are covered, whether your policy includes 'replacement value' or 'alternate living expenses' coverage.
- Find out what is NOT covered in your policy, not all damages are insured.
- Understand your insurance deductible, and
- Document your belongings with receipts or digital files in a safe location such as a safety deposit box or a digitally secure internet site.
- Keep important insurance documents with your emergency kit for easy access.
For more information about insurance coverage contact your insurance provider or visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
Fire Extinguishers
Place fire extinguishers where they can be easily accessed, make sure you know how to use it, and make sure it is up to date. Contact your local fire department to learn more about fire safety and prevention.
Utilities
Everyone in your household should know where utilities are located and how to shut them off safely including:
- Main circuit breaker, to reduce risk of fire damage when power is restored following an outage.
- Water line that enters your home.
- Fuel Oil Tanks
- Propane Tanks
- Natural Gas
Multi-family Housing
Download the PreparedBC: Guide for Apartments and Condos to learn more about emergency preparedness in multi-family complexes. This guide will help you join forces with your neighbours, when you're in it together, you're stronger.
Emergency Supplies
Be prepared for seven (7) days without assistance, by assembling an emergency kit, ensuring you have enough non-perishable food and water for each member of your household. Visit our Get a Kit page for more information.