During an Emergency

Knowing what to do if you basement floods will help you remain calm and be better prepared to protect yourself and your home.
If you experience basement flooding you should consider:

• Moving pets, as well as furniture, electrical appliances, equipment and other belongings to higher levels.
• Making sure basement windows are closed. Remove or seal hazardous products like weed killers or insecticides.
• Plugging basement sewer drains and toilet connection.

For information on Basement Flooding Prevention Tips visit Hamilton.ca/flooding

Knowing what to do during an earthquake will help you remain calm and be better prepared to protect yourself and help others.
During an earthquake you should consider the following:

• If you are indoors, stay there, take cover under a heavy table, desk or any solid furniture and hold on. In a hallway, crouch down against an inside wall.

• Avoid doorways. Doors may slam shut and cause injuries.

• Protect your head and face. Move away from windows, glass partitions, mirrors, fireplaces, bookcases, furniture and light fixtures.

• If in a wheelchair, lock the wheels and protect the back of your neck and head.

• Do not use elevators. If you are in an elevator during an earthquake, hit the button for every floor and get out as soon as you can.

• Take cover immediately wherever you are when an earthquake starts and stay there until the shaking stops.

• Expect aftershocks - they may occur for some time after the initial quake.

Your response to an emergency involving a hazardous spill or fire resulting from the spill should be the same as in all other emergencies but you may be evacuated. Listen for instructions from local emergency response officials and be prepared to Shelter in Place. A hazardous material can be defined as any material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, may pose a hazard to human health or the environment.

Hazardous materials include these categories:

• Flammable and combustible materials
• Toxic materials
• Corrosive materials
• Oxidizers
• Aerosols
• Compressed gases

Shelter in place

Local authorities will advise you to stay in your home during an emergency when the air outside is not safe to breathe. They will ask you to Shelter in Place. This means ‘stay inside’.

When asked to shelter in place, you need to:

• Close all windows and doors
• Place wet towels under doors to help prevent smoke or fumes from entering
• Turn off fans, heating and air conditioning systems
• Close the fireplace damper and do not use the clothes dryer
• Locate your emergency kit
• Move to an interior room above ground level
• Tape around windows, air ducts and vents
• Listen to tv or radio for updates and do not go outside until authorities say it is safe to do so

To estimate how far away the lightning is, count the seconds between the flash of lightning and the thunderclap. If you count less than thirty seconds between the flash and the bang, take shelter immediately and remain there for 30 minutes after the last rumble. This is called the 30/30 rule.

If you are outside:

• Take shelter in a building or depressed area such as a dry ditch or a culvert, but never under a tree.
• If you are caught in the open, do not lie flat but crouch in the leap-frog position and lower your head; you do not want to be the tallest object in the area.
• Do not ride bicycles, motorcycles or golf carts, or use metal shovels or golf clubs as they conduct electricity.
• If swimming or in a boat, get back to shore immediately.
• If you are in a car, stay there but pull away from trees which could fall on you.

If you are inside:

• Stay there but away from windows, doors, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, sinks, bathtubs, appliances, metal pipes, telephones (you can use a cellphone) and other materials which conduct electricity.
• Unplug radios, televisions and computers and use a battery or crank powered radio instead.

If you experience a power outage you should consider:

• The refrigerator will keep food cool for four to six hours, depending on the kitchen temperature.

• Remember that meat, dairy and frozen foods can be hazardous if not stored properly.

• Using up perishables and foods from the refrigerator first, next use foods from the freezer, then non-perishables.

• A full freezer keeps food frozen for about two days; covering with blankets will provide extra insulation.

• For emergency cooking, use a barbeque, charcoal grill or camp stove, outside only. 

A power outage may leave you without heat or cooling. During cold weather, to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting, you should drain them and shut off the main water supply. Before you drain your pipes, you may want to collect water in clean containers for emergency drinking and cleaning purposes.

Hot, humid weather combined with a cold front could be a sign that a tornado is brewing and may be accompanied by lightning, high winds and hail. Dark, often green-tinged skies are an indicator of possible tornado activity nearby. A funnel cloud hanging from a dark cloud may be visible before the tornado actually occurs.

When a tornado develops you should consider:

• If you are at home, go to the basement or take shelter in a small interior ground floor room such as a bathroom, closet or hallway or protect yourself by taking shelter under a heavy table or desk.
• Stay away from windows and outside walls and doors.
• At the office or in an apartment building, take shelter in an inner hallway or room, ideally in the basement or the ground floor.
• Do not use the elevator.
• Avoid buildings such as gymnasiums, churches and auditoriums with free-span roofs.

Do not get caught in a car or mobile home. If you are driving and spot a tornado in the distance, take shelter elsewhere, such as a building with a strong foundation. If no shelter is available, lie down in a dry ditch, away from cars or mobile homes. Get as close to the ground as possible, protect your head and watch out for flying debris.

A winter storm means there is a potential for heavy snow or significant ice accumulations. A Winter Storm Watch is issued by Environment Canada when conditions are favourable for the development of hazardous conditions. These bulletins may be issued 48 to 60 hours in advance. When a winter storm watch is in effect, listen to the radio or television or follow social media alerts for information or instruction.

You should also consider:

• When a winter storm hits, stay indoors.
• If you must go outside, dress for the weather.
• If you must travel during a snowstorm, do so during the day and let someone know your route and arrival time.
• Make sure you have your emergency car kit.