Emergency Kits
September 29, 2005

Snow storms in Ontario, floods during your driving trip in Britain, or just a couple of hours without power after a thunderstorm - at home or on the road, being prepared can be crucial if you're suddenly confronted by an emergency.

Smart shopping experts at the Ministry of Government Services say that if you haven't booked your annual furnace inspection or bought an extra case of -40^o proof washer fluid for the car, today's the day to make sure your home and vehicles are equipped with appropriate winter emergency kits.

"We want people to have effective emergency kits that are appropriate for their surroundings," says Rob Dowler, ADM Policy & Consumer Protection Services .

Dowler says the ministry has heard reports of scam artists who were selling boxes that held a couple of candles, some bottled water and canned soup for many times the value of the items by calling them survival kits.

"Everyone should have a well-stocked emergency kit at home. If a consumer paid out money for the kit being promoted then put the box away in an appropriate spot without reviewing its contents, they might be in for a real shock if they needed to use it in an emergency," Dowler says.

Consumers are reminded to check and update the contents of their household and auto emergency kits every six months. Snowbirds should have a special kit appropriate for their locales.

Odds are you will never need the kit - but it only takes once to make the small amount of time and effort needed to assemble and maintain an emergency kit worthwhile. Make sure everyone in the family knows exactly where the kits are located and that they are packaged and stored in such a way that everyone can gain access to them.

A list of suggested items to be included in home and vehicle emergency kits follows.

Home emergency kit

Food: A three-day supply of non-perishable food is the minimum requirement. Foods that can be eaten without chilling or heating, such as canned meat, fish, vegetables and fruits are best.

First aid: Store items in zip-lock bags or other air-tight containers to avoid moisture and contamination.

• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• Safety pins, in various sizes
• Cleansing agent/soap
• Two pairs of latex gloves
• Sunscreen
• Four to six (each) 2- and 4-inch gauze pads
• Three triangular bandages
• Four to six 2- and 3-inch roller bandages
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Needles
• Pre-moistened towelettes
• Antiseptic
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Thermometer
• Tongue blades
• Non-prescription drugs, including:
• Pain reliever, such as aspirin
• Antacid
• Laxative
• Anti-diarrhea medication<
• Any medication commonly used by members of the household.

Water: Store in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles and replace at least every six months. Store one gallon per person, per day, providing adequate supply for a minimum of three days.

Clothing/
bedding: Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear for each person, as well as blankets or sleeping bags. Make sure your winter kit includes heavy footwear, hats and gloves and thermal underwear.

Tools and
supplies:

• Plastic/paper cups, plates utensils
• Battery-operated radio with extra batteries
• Flashlight (s) with extra batteries
• Candles and matches in airtight package
• Fire extinguisher
• Manual can opener
• Utility knives
• Pliers, screw driver and duct tape
• Aluminum foil
• Zip-lock bags
• Signal flare
• Thread
• Paper, pencil
• Plastic sheeting
• Whistle
• Wrench (to turn off household gas and water)

Special items: As required for babies, including formula and any medications. Plastic garbage bags with ties, a plastic bucket with a tight lid, toilet paper, towelettes, chlorine bleach and personal hygiene items for sanitary purposes.

Important Documents: These should always be kept in a portable, waterproof container if they're in your home. The best place for original documents when they are not in use is a safety deposit box.

• Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
• Passports, social insurance cards, immunization records
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card account numbers and companies
• Inventory of valuable household goods
• Important telephone numbers
• Family records, such as birth, marriage and death certificates.

Make sure all family members know where the kit is located.

Car Emergency Kits

Kits should include:

• An "emergency, call police" sign to put in the windshield and a red cloth that could be tied to an antenna.
• Your car's first aid kit should contain all the items listed under your home kit. Don't forget you'll need a full kit for your home and each vehicle.
• Clothing and bedding are vital when driving in winter conditions. Make sure you have a full extra set of clothing for everyone and that all the items of clothing and footwear fit properly and are practical.
• A simple stock of food, including chocolate bars in zip-lock bags.
• Windshield washer fluid rated -40º proof.

In addition to the items on the above "tools" list, don't forget spare fuses and booster cables, and a shovel and some sand to help you get the car out of a snowdrift.

Travel documents:

When travelling, take only the documents you'll require for your trip. If in doubt, seek the advice of a registered Ontario travel agent and double-check with the consulate of the nation you are planning to visit. Though most agents will be glad to assist you in applying for necessary documents, it is your responsibility, not the agent's, to ensure you have the correct travel papers in hand before your trip.

Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of travel insurance policies. Many policies, especially for extended stays, require that the company be contacted before you seek medical attention. If this is the case, keep the policy number and company telephone number with you at all times and ensure that someone you trust has that information.

Keep copies of your document numbers and travelers' cheque receipts separate from the originals.

A final note:

At home, motoring or when travelling anywhere, always make sure to have some extra cash on hand as well as a list of any medication you might require urgently. Ask your doctor if you should carry extra prescriptions.

For information on a variety of consumer issues, call the ministry's General Inquiry Unit at 326-8555 in the Toronto area or toll free at 1-800-268-1142. Special electronic equipment for use by people who have hearing and speech difficulties is available at (416) 326-8566.