72 Hours...is your family prepared?

The path of destruction that Hurricane Katrina left in its wake across the southern U.S. in August 2005 provided a horrific reminder of the importance of being prepared for disasters.

The fact is, disasters do happen. And disaster preparedness is every bit as essential here in Canada as it is in other countries. In recent floods, tornadoes, severe storms, forest fires, blackouts and industrial accidents have wreaked havoc in communities across the country. Many of these emergencies were deadly. Being prepared can save lives and can help to reduce the impact of a disaster on you and your family.

When a disaster strikes, it may take emergency workers some time to reach everyone. The Canadian Red Cross encourages all Canadians to share the responsibility for their own safety by planning ahead and being prepared to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours.

By following a few simple steps now, you and your family can be prepared for emergencies of all kinds.

1. Know the risks in your community.
2. Make a family emergency plan.
3. Assemble or purchase a family emergency kit
4. Take a Red Cross first aid course

Want to learn more?

• Explore the Disaster Preparedness section of our web site for practical information and useful tips.
• Download the “72 Hours...Is Your Family Prepared?” (PDF, 898kb), your guide to Emergency Preparedness, a new great new tool produced by Public Safety Canada, in cooperation with Canadian Red Cross.
• Visit the Emergency Preparedness Week website at www.epweek.ca. Canadian Red Cross is a proud partner in emergency preparedness with Public Safety Canada.
• Explore our special education programs for children and youth.
• Public Safety and the Canadian Red Cross sign important agreement

Want to make a difference by helping others when disaster strikes?

• Take a Red Cross first aid course. Our hands-on training will teach you how to respond to emergencies, provide first aid with confidence and care, and save lives. Contact your local Red Cross office for information.
• Become a Red Cross volunteer. We are looking for enthusiastic new members for our disaster repsonse teams in many regions across the country. Contact your local Red Cross office for information.

Don’t wait until an emergency happens—knowing what to do before a disaster strikes will help you and your family to remain in control of the situation to recover more quickly.