Being prepared for an emergency also means having the necessary supplies on hand to help you and your family cope.

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 the time now to store food, water and other supplies, you can provide for your entire family in the event of an emergency.

The following list is a guide of suggested items to have in your disaster preparedness kit at home. It is important that you check it every year and to resupply it after every use.

Items to include in a disaster preparedness kit include:

In addition to your Family Emergency Kit, you should also have an “Emergency Go-Bag”.

What is an Emergency Go-Bag?

An emergency Go Bag contains your personal emergency supplies pre-packed in an easy-to-carry solution, usually a sturdy backpack. It holds all the items you will need if you have to leave your home or workplace immediately; for example, if you are advised to evacuate. In addition to essential survival supplies you should pack personal items such as medication, maps, keys, spare glasses, copies of documents, cash and other important records. Store your Go Bag in a safe and secure location ready to be grabbed at a moment's notice.

You may need to leave immediately in the event of an emergency, such as a Flood or a Fire. Be ready to go by having a smaller version of your emergency kit in an easy-to-access place in your home. In addition to having one at home, create grab-and-go bags for your workplace and vehicles that contain:

• Food (ready to eat) and water
• Phone charger and battery bank
• Small battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Battery-powered or hand-crank flashlight
• Extra batteries
• Small first-aid kit and personal medications
• Personal toiletries and items, such as an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses
• Copy of your emergency plan, copies of important documents, such as insurance papers
• Cash in small bills
• Local map with your family meeting place identified
• Seasonal clothing and an emergency blanket
• Pen and notepad
• Whistle

Preparing an Emergency Kit for Your Car
Source: Get Prepared – Government of Canada

Slippery or snow-covered roads, reduced visibility and bitter cold: these are all conditions that can make driving difficult and even dangerous during cold weather months. Winter also brings an increased risk of getting stuck in your car, so dress warmly before heading out.

Follow these tips to learn about winter driving risks and prepare an emergency kit for your car.

Follow these tips if you are stuck in the snow:

• Try to stay calm and don't go out in the cold. Stay in your car: you will avoid getting lost and your car is a safe shelter.
• Don't tire yourself out. Shovelling in the intense cold can be deadly.
• Let in fresh air by opening a window on the side sheltered from the wind.
• Keep the engine off as much as possible. Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning and make sure the exhaust pipe is not obstructed by snow.
• If possible, use a candle placed inside a deep can instead of the car heater to warm up.
• Turn on warning lights or set up road flares to make your car visible.
• Turn on the ceiling light; leaving your headlights or hazard lights on for too long will drain the battery.
• Move your hands, feet and arms to maintain circulation. Stay awake.
• Keep an eye out for other cars and emergency responders. Try to keep clothing dry since wet clothing can lead to a dangerous loss of body heat.

Prepare an emergency car kit
Always have winter safety and emergency equipment in your car. A basic car kit should contain the following:

• Food that won't spoil, such as energy bars
• Water—plastic bottles that won't break if the water freezes (replace them every six months)
• Blanket
• Extra clothing and shoes or boots
• First aid kit with seatbelt cutter
• Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush
• Candle in a deep can and matches
• Wind up flashlight
• Whistle—in case you need to attract attention
• Roadmaps
• Copy of your emergency plan

Items to keep in your trunk:

• Sand, salt or cat litter (non-clumping)
• Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
• Tow rope
• Jumper cables
• Fire extinguisher
• Warning light or road flares