What To Do During An Emergency
- Nepean Housing Corporation
- Jul 25
- 3 min read
Emergency Kit:
It's a good idea to separate some of these supplies in backpacks. That way, your kit will be more portable and each person can personalize his or her own grab-and-go emergency kit.
Here are suggested items to assemble your emergency kit at home. You can also buy emergency kits online.
Food (non-perishable) and manual can opener
Important family documents (i.e. copies of birth and marriage certificates, passports, licenses, and insurance)
Special needs such as medications, baby needs, extra glasses
Crank or battery-operated flashlight, with extra batteries
Cell phone with extra charger or battery pack
Extra keys, for your house and car
A copy of your emergency plan
Mask(s) and hand sanitizer
Personal hygiene items
First aid kit
Extra cash
Water
Important Numbers:
Always call the police first in an emergency.
Call 9-1-1
Call bylaw to report a bylaw violation issues related to property standards, noise, parking, animal control, business licensing, and other violations of municipal by-laws.
Call 3-1-1
Call Nepean Housing Corporation to report complaints, emergencies (to be kept on file), necessary repairs, maintenance issues, or any general questions or concerns.
Call (613) 823-8452
Power Outages:
Before:
Create an emergency plan in case this happens.
Have at least three days of emergency supplies available.
Power outages are so closely tied to weather.
During:
Use battery/wind-up radio for updates.
Check if the outage is just your home (https://outages.hydroottawa.com/) and for further updates.
Turn off appliances to avoid surges.
Keep fridge and freezer doors closed. A closed fridge stays cold for ~4 hours; a freezer, 24–36 hours.
Use flashlights, not candles.
After:
Check on vulnerable people.
Stay away from downed lines.
Inspect your home for damage.
Toss spoiled food.
Restore power gradually.
Strong Winds & Tornado:
Recognize the tornado signs.
Severe thunderstorms with loud rumbling noises.
For your safety
Learn more about where to find information during emergencies, i.e. radio.
For your home
Secure outdoor items like lawn furniture so that they don’t cause damage during high winds
If you are inside:
Stay inside, go in the basement or an interior room with no windows
Get under a sturdy piece of furniture like a table
If you are outside:
Find a building to shelter in preferably one with a solid foundation
Thunderstorms:
Before:
Make an emergency plan.
Know alert types:
Watch: Storm possible.
Warning: Storm happening or imminent.
During:
Stay inside, away from windows.
Avoid floodwaters – “turn around, don’t drown” which means to avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.
Unplug devices; avoid plumbing.
Leaks:
When a leak is discovered, the immediate priority is to stop the water flow and minimize damage. This involves shutting off the water supply at the source and containing the leak with buckets or towels.
Building/House Fires:
Apartments:
Know the building’s fire escape plan. Refer to the Tenant Emergency List kept in the fire safety box in the building entrance.
Locate all exits and fire alarms on your floor.
House:
Test smoke/CO alarms monthly.
During:
Get out and stay out!
Pull the fire alarm and call 911. Use the stairs.
If smoke is heavy, stay low and crawl.
If trapped due to mobility issues, stay in a room with the door closed, place a towel under the door, and signal for help from a window using a bright object.
Heat Waves:
Before:
Watch for heat warnings.
Prepare fans/AC or know where to go to cool off.
During:
Stay hydrated and indoors during peak heat (10 a.m.– 2 p.m).
Dress light and stay cool.
Watch for heat illness— call 911 if needed.
