Being prepared for any emergency key to surviving it for residents of Milton, Oakville, Burlington

Insauga.com
Jan. 12, 2022

Famous as the slogan of the Boy Scouts, the motto could well be describing the advice being given to residents of Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills by Halton Region.

The website says Halton is vulnerable to a variety of natural, technological and human-caused hazards that everyone should know about.

Here are the top risks, according to the region:

Freezing rain/ice storm
Tornado
Flood -- urban
Critical infrastructure failure -- water main network, pumping stations
Hazardous spills
Energy emergency (supply) -- power outages
Flood -- riverine
Extreme temperatures -- cold wave, heat wave
Human health epidemics
Windstorm
Thunderstorms
Lightning
Transportation emergency -- rail or road

“It is important that you and your family know what to do if an emergency of any size happens, especially if you are not together.”

There are recommended plans and tips for household; workplace; children, older adults or people with a disability or special needs; pets; and service animals.

And the final tip is to prepare an emergency kit that will allow you and your family to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.

The long list of items, which can be stored in a backpack or dufflebag, including things like water, canned goods and can opener, water, battery or crank radio, portable power banks and appropriate clothing.

For more information on emergency-preparedness, visit the region website.