ALWAYS BE PREPARED

When it comes to extreme weather, the people of Saskatchewan can get a little smug. We watch the fallout of hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes and earthquakes, and offer up little expressions of thanks that we live in such a relatively safe place.

This complacency is misguided. Besides carrying emergency weather kits in our cars in case we get stuck in a blizzard — and how many of us still even do that? — it is a rare household that has taken steps to prep for a true disaster.

This should change. Saskatchewan can and does get extreme weather, resulting in power outages and difficulties in getting out to access goods and services.

Residents need to heed the advice of Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization director Pamela Goulden-mcleod, who says residents need to prepare for the kind of issues caused when tornadoes touched down last week in the Ottawa and Gatineau, Que. areas.

She says each home should have a kit with enough food and water for household members and pets for at least 72 hours after a major event. Medicines and a small amount of cash in small bills should be kept on hand.

Businesses should also be prepped, as getting home is not always an option.

Communication is of key importance in light of a disaster. How will you charge your cellular phone in case of a power outage? If you do not have a landline, how will you communicate? Family members need to talk through a plan on how they will keep in touch and where they will meet.

The cities of Saskatoon and Regina are part of the notifynow mass notification system, which is used to send out messages to the cellular phones, landline phones and email accounts of residents who sign up.

People can provide up to five addresses, such as their homes, workplaces or children’s schools.

Signing up is an important step. The system “lets you know what to do, where to go and what to expect during an emergency,” according to the City of Regina website. Who doesn’t need that? To join up, go to the websites for both cities.

Another important step involves making sure financial, medical and household documents are collected and in a secure place. Preparing for an insurance claim is another area where residents need to take steps.

The Government of Canada has a website dedicated to helping citizens prepare for the worst: getprepared.gc.ca.