With the start of a new year, make a resolution to be better prepared for potential emergencies.

Emergency Management BC (EMBC) urges British Columbians to make a commitment to better prepare themselves and their families for possible emergencies. Start by building an emergency kit and developing a household plan that individuals and families can practise throughout the year.

A home emergency kit does not take a long time to create and does not need to be expensive. Just follow the basic list below, and remember to store collected supplies in an easy-to-access location:

• First-aid kit
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Whistle to signal for help
• Cellphone with charger (inverter or solar charger)
• Cash in small bills
• A local map with a family meeting place identified
• A minimum three-day supply of food and water, but aim for a week to two weeks.
• Garbage bags
• Dust mask
• Seasonal clothing and footwear
• Water (minimum of four litres of water per person, per day)

Make a 2019 New Year’s resolution to prepare for a disaster before it strikes.

Learn More:

For more information on how to get prepared, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/PreparedBC

• How to build an emergency kit: http://ow.ly/QbL830mWTEL
• Household preparedness guide: http://ow.ly/7FqY307cqXV
• Household emergency plan: http://ow.ly/TSqL307cr4o
• Neighbourhood preparedness guide: http://ow.ly/l7CM30mWTMe
• Guide for people with disabilities: http://ow.ly/sGmg30mWTOI
• Pet preparedness guide: http://ow.ly/Q8Ba30mWTRZ
• Guide for apartments, condos and townhomes: http://ow.ly/ZRqk30mWTVF
• More detailed preparedness and safety information is available on:
  • floods: http://ow.ly/5E2T307crEv
  • power outages: http://ow.ly/5GoW307crNW
  • landslides: http://ow.ly/CJZH307cs1a
  • severe weather: http://ow.ly/bJ99307cs9w
  • wildfire: http://ow.ly/wJ9r30mXV9t
  • earthquakes: http://ow.ly/rJ7630mXV8s

For tips on how to prepare, follow PreparedBC on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PreparedBC

For emergency alerts and notices, follow Emergency Management BC on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmergencyInfoBC