City of St. Thomas

You can't predict emergencies, but you can prepare for them. The first step to ensure you stay emergency-ready is to have a plan in place for you and your family for various emergencies.

Learn how to make an emergency plan, create an emergency kit, and stay informed.

Every family in the City of St. Thomas should have emergency kits in their homes. 

You can decide on the specific items you should include in your kits, which should include everything you and your household would need to be safe for at least three days immediately following an emergency. 

Learn more about the different kind of essential items that you should make sure you have at the ready in your home.

EESSENTIAL ITEMS

• Non-perishable and easy-to-prepare items, enough for three days
• Manual can opener
• Bottled or bagged water (4 liters per person, per day)
• Backup water purification tablets
• Medication(s)
• Toilet paper and other personal care items, such as soap, shampoo, toothbrush, and toothpaste
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as medical masks and respirators
• Backup chargers and power banks for cell phones or mobile devices
• Cash in small bills
• Portable light source such as a flashlight, headlamp, or glow stick
• Crank or battery-run radio
• Extra batteries
• First-Aid kit
• Candles and matches/lighter
• Hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
• Important papers such as a copy of your emergency plan, identification, contact lists, copies of prescriptions, etc.
• Extra car and house keys
• Whistle to call attention, if necessary
• Zip-lock bag (to keep items dry)
• Garbage bags
• Duct tape

ADDITIONAL KIT ITEMS

Your kit may require the following additional items depending on your household's unique needs:

• Items for babies and small children, such as diapers, formula, bottles, and baby food
• Comfort and sentimental items, such as photos of loved ones, irreplaceable items, etc.
• Prescription medication
• Medical supplies, equipment, and copies of care/support plans including contact information for doctors or specialists 
• Extra pair of glasses or contact lenses and solution (if applicable)
• Pet supplies (see more info below)

EMERGENCY KIT FOR PETS

 Pets are a part of our households, too. When preparing an emergency kit for your pet, make sure to include: 

• Water for your pet (in additional to the 4 L of water per person, per day)
• Food, bowls, paper towel, and manual can opener
• Blanket and a small toy
• Cat litter/pan (if necessary)
• Plastic bags
• Carrier/crate and leash/harness
• Medications and medical records (including vaccination history) 
• Current photo of your pet in the event your pet gets lost
• Information on feeding schedules, medical or behavioral problems in case you must board your pet
• Up-to-date ID tag with your phone number, and the name/phone number of your veterinarian 
• Copy of pet licence (if required)
• Muzzle (if required)

EMERGENCY VEHICLE KIT

Be sure to prepare an emergency kit for your vehicle that includes:

• Blankets
• Candles, matches and lighter
• Extra clothing, shoes, and towels
• First-Aid kit with seatbelt cover
• Multi-purpose vehicle emergency tool with window breaker, seat belt cover, flashlight, etc.
• Crank or battery powered flashlight
• Extra batteries
• Bottled water
• Food that won't spoil, such as energy bars
• List of emergency contact numbers and shelter addresses
• Crank or battery-powered radio
• Small shovel, snow scraper, and snow brush
• Warning lights and road flares
• Whistle
• Tire iron and spare tire

ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR YOUR VEHICLE

You should also keep these additional items in your vehicle in case of emergency: 

• Antifreeze and/or windshield washer fluid
• Fire extinguisher
• Road maps with emergency locations indicated 
• Sand, salt, cat litter (non-clumping) for weight or ice
• Tow rope
• Jumper cables
• Battery starter/charger 

EVACUATION KIT

 You should have the following additional supplies ready in case you need to leave your home:

• Seasonal clothes, shoes and accessories (such as hats and mittens)
• Sleeping bags or blankets
• Lightweight plates and utensils
• Survival multitool that includes a screwdriver, pocketknife, and other basic tools
• Local map with your safe meeting places identified
• Playing cards, travel games and other small activities
• Pen or pencil and a small paper/notepad

To learn more about evacuation tips and procedures, visit our Shelter or Evacuating page.

RED CROSS PRE-PACKAGED KITS

The Canadian Red Cross has pre-packaged emergency preparedness kits available for purchase on its website.

If you or someone in your household has special needs or accessibility needs, ensure you have created an emergency plan that considers them. 

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GUIDE

For more information, visit Ontario's emergency preparedness guide for people with special needs to accessibility needs. 

The City of St. Thomas has developed an Emergency Management Program, in accordance with Ontario's Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

Included within the program are annual requirements for training, planning, public education, regular exercises, analysis of risk, identification of critical infrastructure, the appointment of key emergency management officials, and the annual review of the Bylaw and the Emergency Response Plan.