May 1, 2026 · 10 min read · Emergency Preparedness
Every Canadian family needs: 72 hours of water (2 liters per person per day), non-perishable food, a battery radio, flashlight, first aid kit, copies of important documents, cash, and a communication plan. Keep supplies in a portable bag you can grab in under 2 minutes.
A proper emergency kit must support your family for at least 72 hours without external help. This means assembling the essentials for hydration, nutrition, shelter, and medical needs into an easily transportable "go-bag."
The rule of thumb is two liters of drinking water per person per day, plus an additional two liters per person for hygiene and food preparation. Therefore, a family of four needs roughly 48 liters for a 72-hour period. Don't forget water for your pets.
Keep photocopies of your IDs, passports, birth certificates, home insurance policies, and critical medical records in a waterproof ziplock bag or container. It's also wise to have a physical list of emergency contacts, as cell phones may die.
Designate an out-of-town contact person. During local disasters, long-distance lines often work better than local ones. Ensure everyone in the family memorizes this person's number and texts them rather than calling, to save network bandwidth and phone battery.
Alongside physical supplies, your phone is a vital tool. Install an early warning app like Together Safe to get alerts before situations escalate. Keep offline maps downloaded and digitize important documents in secure cloud storage.
Check your kit every six months (Daylight Saving Time changes are a good reminder). Replace expired food, refresh stored water, check battery expiration dates, and ensure clothes still fit growing children.
A 72-hour kit contains all the essential supplies (food, water, medicine, power) your family needs to survive independently for three days in case emergency services are overwhelmed.
Yes, Public Safety Canada runs the "Get Prepared" campaign which provides official guidelines, but families must assemble their own kits and plans.
Keep flashlights (not candles) easily accessible, store extra batteries, have a battery-operated radio, keep external phone chargers full, and do not open your fridge/freezer unnecessarily.
Stop what you are doing, read the alert carefully, follow the specific instructions provided (such as shelter in place or evacuate), and monitor reputable local sources.
Compatible smartphones receive Alert Ready messages automatically. For early warnings and hyperlocal threat updates, you can use the Together Safe app.
Physical supplies are only half the battle. Get early warning of emergencies with Together Safe.
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