Draw up a floor plan of your home that shows all possible exits from each room. Plan a main exit route and an alternate exit route from each room.

If you live in an apartment, plan to use the stairs instead of the elevators. If you are unable to use the stairs, notify emergency services ahead of time.

Also, identify an evacuation route from your neighbourhood in case you need to leave in a hurry (and think of more than one option).

Learn about the emergency evacuation plans in place and what you will need to do.

You may want to have some basic supplies at work, such as water and food that won’t spoil, in case you need to stay put for a while.

Check with your employer about workplace emergency plans, including fire alarms, emergency exits, meeting points, and designated safety personnel or floor wardens.

Ask your children’s school or daycare about their emergency policies.

Find out how they will contact families during an emergency.

Find out what type of authorization the school or daycare requires to release your children to a designated person if you can’t pick them up.

Make copies of birth and marriage certificates, passports, licences, wills, land deeds and insurance.

Take photos of family members in case a lost person’s record is created.

Keep them in a safe place, both inside and outside your home. You might want to put them in a safety deposit box or give them to friends and family who live out of town.

Identify safe places where everyone should meet if you cannot go home or you need to evacuate.

• Safe meeting place near home
• Safe meeting place outside immediate neighbourhood
• Evacuation routes from neighbourhood

In case of an evacuation, remember that pets are not allowed in some public shelters or hotels.

In case of an evacuation, prepare to take your pets with you to the home of a relative or friend, or take steps to identify pet-friendly hotels or pet boarding facilities in your area and further away from home.

Establish a personal support network of friends, relatives, and health-care providers, co-workers and neighbours who understand your special needs.

Write down details about:

• Accommodation needs
• Insurance information
• Allergies
• Medical conditions
• Emergency contacts
• Medication
• Family medical history
• Recent vaccinations
• Health screenings
• Surgeries

Keep a copy of this information in your emergency kit, and give a copy to your personal support network. Talk to your doctor about preparing a grab-and-go bag, if possible, with a two-week supply of medication and medical supplies.

Include prescriptions and medical documents. Remember that pharmacies may be closed for some time, even after an emergency is over.