How to create an emergency plan 

When a storm rolls in or the power cuts out, everyday routines can stop in an instant. A prepared emergency plan can make all the difference in keeping you steady and helping your household make smart decisions.   

In Ontario, many families face a wide range of seasonal hazards, including blizzards, tornadoes, and flooding. Knowing what's most common where you live and staying on top of local weather alerts helps you tailor your family's plan to the risks that matter.   

Plan your evacuation routes  

The Government of Canada advises planning for stairs rather than elevators, since a power failure or mechanical issue can trap people mid-evacuation. Consider getting a foldable fire ladder that can be used to exit the home from a second-floor window.  

Keep a simple sketch of your layout with arrows to the exits, then think beyond your front door and note the streets you would take if officials ordered you to leave the neighbourhood. Come up with a backup route, as well. Be sure to share it with your household so that everyone can act quickly and confidently under pressure.   

Establish your meeting spots

Once you have routes, decide where you will regroup. Choose one familiar spot close to home and another well outside your neighbourhood in case a wider area is affected. Pick places that are easy for children, seniors, and anyone with mobility needs to reach in a hurry.  

Also, make sure these details are stored in multiple places—on your phones, in a secure cloud backup, and on paper with your emergency kit.   

Know who to call and where to get updates  

Make stressful moments simpler by putting the right numbers at your fingertips. Ensure that everyone in your home knows when to call 911 and keep key nonemergency numbers handy—fire, police, utilities, and municipal services.    

Stay informed by signing up for provincial alerts such as Alert Ready and by checking your city's official channels on its website, social media or in local news. These sources also post the locations of nearby warming and cooling centers during extreme weather. CAA also has a free emergency preparedness booklet with room to note your emergency contacts.   

Recognize the hazards in your region

Spring flooding, sudden snow squalls, and high winds can all cause disruptions like power outages. A quick scan of your municipality's hazard page will show you what to expect in your area and how officials plan to respond.  

Use that snapshot to finetune your plan and your gobag so they match the threats you are most likely to face.  

Put the basics in one place

Keep all devices charged, carry a small battery pack and store key contacts on your phones and on a printed card. A little preparation now makes it easier to stay calm and reach one another if you are separated.  

Tuck copies of your emergency plan in your kit, your car, and your workplace, along with ID, health, and insurance details, so essential information is always close by.  

Keep pets in your plan  

Pets rely on you in an emergency, so they need their own plan. Keep their registration and vaccination records up to date, make sure they have proper identification, and consider a microchip so they can be traced if you're separated.   

The best way to protect your pet in an emergency is to bring them with you. However, it's possible that, in the moment, you may not be able to—so it's important to prepare a short list of pet-friendly places, such as hotels, boarding facilities, or friends and family.   

Most evacuation centers only accept service animals, so having alternative arrangements in place ahead of time ensures your pet stays safe.  

Support your family    

Emergencies take an emotional toll, too. Talking through what might happen and reviewing your plan twice a year eases uncertainty and helps everyone feel prepared. Kids especially benefit from simple practice drills and age-appropriate conversations, as they help make something scary manageable.   

Use this time to learn about the emergency procedures at your workplace, your children's school, or their daycare, including how reunification works if you're separated. And make sure your smoke alarms are working, your fire extinguisher is checked, and everyone knows how to shut off the gas, water, and electricity.   

When your family understands what to do and has had a chance to walk through it together, everyone is better equipped to handle whatever comes your way.  

Be ready for anything  

With these simple steps in place, you're giving yourself and your family the confidence to handle whatever comes your way. Check out our extreme weather page for more practical tips and resources.