Before an Emergency

Being emergency ready works best when everyone has a role. Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. Individual can take steps to be prepared. Communities can help each before, during, and after an emergency.

It’s important to make a plan before an emergency happens.

Learn more about Emergency Preparedness in the Get Emergency Ready Guide. To view the guide in additional languages, please click here.

Being ready for an emergency starts with having an emergency plan. Writing your plans helps everyone in your home knows what to do during and after.

Your plan should include:

  • Emergency Supplies: Know where your grab and go bag is located
  • Exits: Know all the safe ways to leave your home, like doors, windows and stairs
  • Meeting Place: Choose a spot outside where everyone will gather
  • Phone Numbers: Write down important contacts (family, friends, doctor, pharmacy, local services)
    Transportation: Plan how you would leave your area if needed, especially if you don’t drive
  • Shelter Plan: Know where you would go if you need to leave home
  • Health Needs: Write down details about medications, medical equipment and support for anyone with health conditions
  • Insurance: Write information about your home or tenant insurance

Fill out an “In Case of Emergency” Information Sheet with important medical details. Keep it up to date and post it somewhere easy to find, like your fridge.

Getting ready for an emergency can feel overwhelming or expensive, but you don’t need to buy everything at once. You may already have some supplies at home. Start with the basics and look for deals at grocery stores, dollar stores or thrift shops.

These supplies are important if you need to stay at home during an emergency. Store it somewhere that’s easy to get to during a power outage or in the dark, such as a hall closet, under a bed, in a spare room or garage.

Prepare at least a three-day supply of water and ready-to-eat foods you enjoy. Choose items that do not need cooking, refrigeration, or electricity.

Essential items include:

  • Bottled water – 4 litres per person per day (for drinking and basic hygiene)
  • Granola bars, trail mix, nuts and peanut butter
  • Crackers, rice cakes or dry snack mixes
  • Canned foods – beans, fruit, vegetables, canned meat or fish (choose pull-tab cans or keep a manual can opener)

You could also include the following items:

  • Board games, books, colouring sheets or cards
  • Emergency lighting
  • Extra batteries
  • First aid kit (bandages, gauze, tape, antiseptic wipes, gloves, pain medicine)
  • Flashlight (with extra batteries) or LED light
  • Garbage bags
  • Reflective Emergency Blanket
  • Thermometer (body and indoor)
  • Comfort item:
    • Children: Small toy or stuffed animal
    • Cultural and Spiritual: Prayer aids, religious or sacred text, sacred medicines (sage, sweetgrass)

A grab and go bag should be lightweight and easy to carry in case you need to leave right away in an emergency. Everyone in your household should have one, and it should include the following items:

  • Photocopies of passport, ID, health card, immigration papers (PR card, refugee claimant documents) or USB stick of important documents
  • List of emergency contacts and health information
  • Coat or extra sweatshirt
  • Money (cash in small amounts) and credit card(s)
  • Medication (prescription and over the counter)
  • Personal care items (toothbrush, sanitary pads, wet wipes)
  • Power bank (or portable phone charger) and charging cable
  • Photos of each person in your household
  • Small comfort items (journal, prayer aids, religious or sacred text, sacred medicine)
  • Snacks (ready to eat) and water

Prepare additional emergency supplies for each pet or service animal:

  • Pet food and treats (small, portable supply)
  • Extra leash, harness, carrier or travel cage
  • Water (small bottle)
  • Lightweight water dish
  • Recent photo of your pet (printed)
  • Medications (if needed)
  • Waste bags or small zip bag of litter
  • Comfort item (toy or blanket)

If you need to evacuate, bring your pets or service animals with you. Toronto Animal Services and Toronto Emergency Management will help pet owners find options for safe shelter during emergencies.

Prepare additional emergency supplies for each child or baby in your care:

  • Baby formula or food
  • Bottle and nipple (or sippy cup for toddlers)
  • Snacks (for children)
  • Diapers and wipes
  • Plastic bags (for soiled diapers or clothes)
  • Extra clothes (onesie, socks, hat)
  • Lightweight blanket
  • Pacifier or teether
  • Small toy, book, or comfort item
  • Child ID card – includes parent contact, allergies, medical info
  • Medicine (if needed)
  • Changing pad or cloth (optional addition)

If you have a disability (like hearing loss or limited mobility) or a health condition (like asthma or a heart issue), it’s important to plan for emergencies based on your needs. If you use life-sustaining equipment or need regular care, make sure your support network knows how to check on you quickly if an emergency happens or if you are asked to evacuate.

Talk to a doctor or healthcare professional for personalized advice. These are some extra supplies to consider for emergencies to support your health, communication and dignity:

  • Extra medications or medical supplies (inhaler, testing strip, wound care)
  • Written list of medications with doses and timing
  • Contact information for your doctor and pharmacy
  • Contact information for support services (home care, case worker)
  • If needed:
    • Backup power for medical or mobility devices (CPAP machine, wheelchair, hearing aids)
    • Support card that explains your disability and how others can help (for example: “I use lip reading” or “I need help with stairs”)
    • Device instruction card with steps for using or moving your assistive devices (such as a wheelchair or oxygen tank)
    • Communication tools (pencil and paper, phrase cards, symbol boards)
    • Sensory aids (noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, fidget items)

If you live in a high-rise or condo, familiarize yourself with your building’s evacuation plan. Speak to the property owner to be added to the “Persons Requiring Assistance During Evacuation” list.

Whether you live in a house, apartment, condo or another type of home, it is important to take steps to prepare for emergencies. Being prepared can help protect you, your household and your property.

Start by taking simple actions that can make a big difference during an emergency:

Insurance and Emergencies

It is also important to understand how insurance can protect you during emergencies.

  • Review your renters or home insurance policy to know what is covered and what may not be (or more information, visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s website)
  • Renter (or tenant) insurance is just as important as homeowner insurance. It can cover the cost of replacing your belongings after a fire, flood, or other emergency. It can also help pay for temporary housing if your rental unit becomes unlivable.

Emergencies often impact entire communities. Getting to know your neighbours and working together can help everyone stay safer and recover more quickly when a crisis happens.

Here are some ways you can build a stronger, more prepared community:

  • Start a neighbourhood emergency group to coordinate check-ins, share resources, and stay connected during an emergency
  • Create a shared emergency contact list so neighbours can easily reach each other if phone or internet service is limited
  • Identify safe gathering places where people can meet outside the building if evacuation is needed
  • Talk to neighbours and local community groups to raise awareness and share preparedness tips

Community Check-in Systems are a great way to stay connected and support each other during emergencies:

  1. Choose a neighbour or friend to check in with during an emergency
  2. Plan how you will stay in touch (by phone, text, or in person)
  3. Share your contact information and where you keep emergency supplies
  4. Think about neighbours who may need extra help, such as older adults, people living alone, or anyone with health or mobility needs
  5. Discuss the kind of support you can offer, like sharing food, helping with transportation or translating information

Get to know community support around you. Dial 211 or visit 211central.ca to find local community and government support services.

Volunteering is another great way to support your community. Organizations like Volunteer Toronto, Ontario Corps and Team Rubicon train volunteers and deploy them within 24 to 72 hours in emergencies.

Emergencies can happen any time, even during your workday. Think about what you need to feel safe, stay warm and get home if something unexpected happens. Keeping a few important items, like walking shoes, snacks or a phone charger, at your workplace or in a small bag can help you feel calm and comfortable.

The Get Emergency Ready – At Work guide explains what to do during workplace emergencies. This includes fire alarms, lockdowns, active shooter situations, medical emergencies, and dealing with suspicious packages or threats. The guide is meant to support your workplace Emergency Plans and Procedures, including Fire Safety Plans, not to replace them.

Landlords must maintain habitable conditions in residential buildings, including essential services like electricity, hot water, and heat during the coldest months. Conditions must not threaten the life, health, or safety of tenants. Preparing your building and residents for emergencies such as severe weather or prolonged power outages is critical.

Emergency Planning:

  • Develop an Emergency Plan and share it with tenants
  • Identify and share the location of the nearest emergency meeting point
  • Strengthen the building’s resiliency to weather and other emergencies (enhanced windows, drainage systems, backup power)
  • Appoint a Volunteer Floor Captain to help coordinate safety and support during emergencies

Resident Support and Communication:

  • Post safety information on a Community Bulletin Board
  • Collect updated tenant email addresses for contact lists or online communication tools that can be used in an emergency
  • Encourage tenants to prepare personal emergency kits and have adequate insurance
  • Offer preparedness workshops to help tenants understand their role in an emergency
  • Maintain updated emergency contact information for tenants
  • Identify tenants with mobility or health needs and plan for additional support

Emergency Supplies and Systems:

  • Stock emergency lighting devices such as LED flashlights
  • Keep a battery-powered or crank radio in a common area
  • Install a backup generator, ideally to power essential systems or at least one elevator