The wildfires in Fort McMurray are a devastating eye-opener of how prepared or ill-prepared we are for emergencies. Professional Organizers in Canada is sharing their top tips to organize an emergency wildfire kit.

Ideally, you should create an emergency kit to sustain your family for at least 72 hours. In addition to your basic emergency kit, include other recommended items such as:

• Prescriptions, special medication, and eyeglasses
• Copies of your essential documents: passports, birth certificates, SIN number, license and health cards
• A change of clothes
• Water and food
• An LED flashlight and extra batteries
• Cell phone, battery-operated cell phone charger and lithium batteries
• Mess kit (a set of cooking and eating utensils, as used especially by soldiers, scouts or campers)
• Moist toilettes, toilet paper, garbage bags and ties for personal sanitation
• First aid kit
• Cash

When you make your kit, remember to pack supplies for your pets! Always have an extra leash or pet bag, and pack extra water and food.

Create an Evacuation Strategy

In the event of a wildfire, you will want to have at least two routes you and your family can use to get away from your home safely. You should also practice these routes with your children, but not in a way that can scare them. Make these routes a part of your family walk or regular bike trails. We also recommend you have a list of friends or family you can contact or stay with if your home is unsafe. Store their contact numbers in a notebook in your emergency kit, and let them know they are a part of your evacuation plan. If you don’t have family or friends you can stay with, note the location of the nearest emergency shelters.

Organize Your Emergency Wildfire Kit

Keep your emergency kit in a specially designated area of your home. This area should also be easily accessible – near a door, your bedside table, or even your car. Once you find that spot, ensure your family members know where it is.

Verify Your Insurance Policies

Ensure you have insurance that can assist you if you lose your belongings. Know your deductible, and keep a copy of your insurance policy in your emergency wildfire kit or ensure it is accessible in a cloud drive. Wildfires and natural disasters are challenging to cope with, but being prepared is half the battle.

Article Courtesy of Professional Organizers in Canada

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