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Emergencies can happen in the form of a natural disaster, health-related outbreak, a technological failure or a deliberate act. Emergency planning helps create awareness, reduce response times and reduce risk.
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and other government and municipal organizations offer resources and guides for emergency planning. You should be prepared to look after your family's basic needs for a 72-hour period in case of an unexpected emergency.
Environment and Climate Change Canada also offers the WeatherCanmobile app that provides weather alerts right to your phone to keep you informed.
Know the Risks and Be Prepared
Did you know the top five risks for emergencies in the County of Brant include:
Flood
Winter Weather
Chemical Spill
Thunderstorm
Tornado
Chemical Spill (#3 Risk in the County of Brant)
The potential for a chemical spill exists as major highways and railways run through the County of Brant. As well, there are commercial and industrial facilities located throughout the County. Transportation of dangerous goods near or through the area increases the risk of a chemical spill. Chemical spill emergencies are capable of endangering the health of the local population and the emergency responders directed to assist them.
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 the following categories:
Flammable and combustible materials
Toxic materials
Corrosive materials
Oxidizers
Aerosols
Compressed gases
How can you prepare?
Evacuation and Shelter-In-Place
In the event of a chemical spill, follow the local authorities directions. They may issue an "Evacuation" or direct you to "Shelter-in-Place".
Evacuation is often the first response to a hazardous materials emergency. Evacuation distances and the means by which evacuation will be accomplished will be communicated considering how to move traffic quickly outside the area, how to prevent traffic from re-entering the area, and how to facilitate the relocation of special and vulnerable populations (e.g. schools or hospitals within the area).
If there is insufficient time to evacuate or it would be unsafe to do so, Shelter-in-Place may be the better choice.
To learn more about evacuations and shelter-in-place directives, see below.
In the event of a chemical spill, listen to local media and follow the County's website News and social media for up to date information. Subscribe to the County's news www.brant.ca/Subscribe
Cyber-Attacks
Unfortunately in today’s world, cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly more common.
What do cyber-attacks look like?
Some cyber-attacks may seem obvious to you, such as a suspicious email, but others can be hard to detect. Some of the most common ways criminals try to steal your information include:
Hacking: cyber criminals gain access to your device or an organization’s information technology systems to steal your information
Malware: viruses, spyware or adware are placed on your device to steal your information
Pharming: cyber criminals redirect an organization’s legitimate website to a similar-looking website that captures the information you enter
Phishing: fake emails, text messages and websites asking for your information, such as your social insurance number (SIN)
Spam: mass distribution of unwanted messages to you or from you to your contact list
Wi-Fi Eavesdropping: captures your online activity over an unsecure Wi-Fi network
How can you reduce the risks of a cyber-attack?
Practicing regular reviews of your online profile can reduce your exposure to cyber-attacks. Simple steps you can take – such as using strong passwords, changing passwords regularly for each of your devices and services, and updating software to the latest version – may address up to 80 per cent of the risk of compromises due to cyber-attacks. Other things you can do include:
Start a discussion with your financial service providers so you understand how your information is kept safe
Avoid using public wifi when dealing with financial service providers and opt for an encrypted or secure connection. Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings when you are not using them.
If you receive an email from a financial service provider asking for information, give them a call (on a number not given in the email) to confirm it is legitimate. When in doubt, delete it.
Use safe payment options, such as credit cards, when making purchases online. Avoid using money transfers – this is not a common practice in the financial services industry.
Find other tips and resources on Public Safety Canada’s website – Get Cyber Safe.
A dam is a structure that holds back water in a river, lake, pond or stream. Dams are made of concrete, timber cribs filled with rocks or steel sheet piling. They can also be formed from a bank of earth or rock fill.
Dams are used to:
produce hydropower
support recreation and tourism
support navigation
mitigate high or low water levels
limit the spread of invasive species
support wetland habitat management
Extreme floods are a primary cause of dam failure. When lake and river levels rise due to extreme rainfall or extensive snow runoff, water levels can exceed the capacity of the dam. If the dam fails, the flood situation gets worse.
Safety tips
For everyone:
Awareness is your best defense. If you notice warning or caution signs at the dam site, follow the instructions, stay back and leave the area.
If you live, work, or play near a dam, stay informed by listening to the latest warnings and advisories on the radio and television.
Contact the County of Brant and/or 911 immediately if you notice:
dam failure due to structural issue, human error or natural extreme events
a washed out or unsafe water bridge
stored water released in an uncontrolled manner
observations such as, muddy water, ice jams, water over the dam deck and/or debris build up
potential danger to people or water crafts on, around or near dams,
If you’re a dam owner:
Practice your emergency preparedness plans annually to ensure you are ready to implement them during a dam failure emergency.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry provides technical guidance and best management practices for design, construction, operation, maintenance and safety of dams.. This includes guidance on dam safety, the identification of public safety hazards associated with dams, and how to eliminate or mitigate these hazards.
loss of commercial, industrial and agricultural production
declines in water quality and reduced hydroelectric production
declines in tourism, recreation and shipping
loss of fish and wildlife habitat
Stages of low water conditions
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Conservation Authorities monitor precipitation, stream flow and water levels regularly to gauge water conditions.
Based on what they learn, they assign one of three warning levels to the situation:
Level 1 – the potential for water supply problems is identified
Level 2 – minor water supply issues are encountered
Level 3 – supply may no longer meet demand; social and economic impacts are anticipated
Local government response to drought and low water levels can range from water conservation messaging to water use restrictions.
Safety tips
If you are you are experiencing a drought, follow your local authority instructions for obtaining water.
Prepare now
If you are a homeowner or renter:
repair all leaks in taps and toilets
install low consumption toilets, dishwashers, shower heads, etc.
follow municipal water use restrictions (for example: lawn water, car washing)
install rain barrels to collect rain water from roofs which can be used to water gardens
choose drought-resistant trees and plants
wash only full loads of laundry or dishes
If you are a farmer:
check your irrigation systems regularly for leaks
irrigate in the evening or later in the day when temperatures are lower and there is less evaporation loss
avoid irrigating during windy conditions
use rain gauges to measure how much water your crops are getting
ensure the irrigation system doesn’t water faster than the ground can absorb it
If you work in the agricultural or manufacturing industries:
An earthquake occurs when energy is released underground through the shifting and breaking of rocks underneath the surface. This can cause rapid and sudden shaking of the earth which last for seconds or several minutes.
Earthquakes can cause damage to buildings, roads and bridges, and trigger landslides.
Aftershocks are small earthquakes that happen hours, days or weeks after an earthquake. This can further damage buildings, roads and bridges weakened by the earthquake.
Safety Tips
If you are indoors:
Drop, cover and hold — go under a sturdy piece of furniture, cover your head and hold on
If there is nothing to duck under, crouch in a corner of the room
Stay away from windows — shattered glass can hurt you
Remain inside until the shaking stops
If you must leave, use stairs instead of an elevator in case of aftershocks, power outages or other damage
Note — fire alarms and sprinkler systems often go off during an earthquake, even if there is no fire
If you are outdoors:
Drop to the ground in a clear spot away from buildings, power lines, trees and streetlights
Stay away from objects that could fall and hurt you — remain there until the ground stops shaking
Look out for falling rocks and debris if you're near slopes or cliffs
If you’re in a vehicle:
Pull over to a safe place and stay inside
Listen to your radio for instructions from emergency officials
Don't leave your vehicle if downed power lines are across it — wait for help
Stay away from anything that could collapse (e.g., bridges, overpasses, underpasses, buildings)
If you're on a bus, stay in your seat until the bus stops — take cover in a protected place or sit in a crouched position and protect your head
Prepare Now:
Take the following steps so you and your family are prepared in the event of an emergency:
Find safe places in every room in your home — under a piece of sturdy furniture or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall furniture that could fall on you
Practice drop, cover and hold with your entire household
Bolt bookcases and other tall furniture to the wall
Hang heavy items (e.g., pictures and mirrors) away from beds, couches and places where people sleep or sit
heavy rainfall can carry topsoil down embankments, slopes and valley walls, causing slope instability or failure
human activity, such as building, digging and removing vegetation
residential and industrial development in vulnerable areas, such as lakefronts, river lots and ravines
To manage erosion, under Ontario’s Provincial Policy Statement, the County of Brant must have policies in the land use planning documents that direct land development away from hazardous areas.
Safety tips
Keep yourself and family away from steep and unstable slopes. If camping or hiking be aware of your surroundings and stay in marked camp sites and trails.
Prepare now
If you want to buy property:
confirm with the County of Brant that the property isn’t in a hazardous area
ensure there’s enough erosion protection along a slope, valley or watercourse – such as grass and shrubs
check that property structures are far from the edge of a ravine, valley wall, embankment or shoreline – slope failure can happen wherever there’s a slope
look for structural improvements like retaining walls that may indicate significant regrading of the area.
If you own property:
don’t install pools or build structures that weaken the roots of vegetation or put pressure on a slope
discourage children and pets from sliding down or climbing a slope
don’t throw compost, leaves, gardening debris or garbage into a ravine. This material plugs the natural drainage outlets on the face of the slope and prevents groundwater from draining. This can weaken the slope, causing it to fail.
Glossary
Regrading is the process of grading for raising and/or lowering the levels of land. Such a project can also be referred to as a regrade
The County of Brant provides cooling stations during extreme heat. If an "Extreme Heat Alert" is in effect, check with the County of Brant to locate what's available near you.
Safety Tips
If you feel dizzy, weak or overheated:
go to a cool place;
sit or lie down;
drink water;
wash your face with cool water.
If you don't feel better soon, seek medical help immediately
If you are indoors:
Stay indoors to limit sun exposure
Take frequent cool showers or baths
Stay on lower floors if there's no air conditioning
Drink water and eat light, regular meals — avoid using salt
If you are outdoors:
Spend the hottest part of the day in air conditioned public buildings (e.g., mall, library, cooling station)
Drink water every 15 to 20 minutes even if you aren't thirsty
Dress in light coloured, loose-fitting clothing covering as much of your skin as possible
Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face
Wear full UVA and UVB protection sunglasses
Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher 20 minutes before going outside
Apply lip balm with an SPF 15 or higher
Prepare Now
Take the following steps so you and your family are prepared in the event of an emergency:
Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades or awnings
Include extra water, sunscreen and sunglasses (with full UVA and UVB protection) in your emergency survival kit
Environment and Climate Change Canada also offers the WeatherCanmobile app that provides weather alerts right to your phone to keep you informed.
Flood (#1 Risk in the County of Brant)
Do you live in a flood prone area?
Visit the Flood Line map to see if you live in a flood prone area or are in the 100-year flood zone. The more you know, the more you can be prepared. A study conducted by the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo conculded that flooding is the most expensive extreme weather risk in Canada.
Hazard Information
Floods are typically caused by melting snow, ice jams, heavy spring rains and summer thunderstorms. Flash flooding is caused by violent rain storms or breaking dams — often occurring with little or no warning. They can damage property and injure or kill people.
Consider installing a sump pump and zero reverse flow valves in basement floor drains.
Consider having a portable generator and pump available.
Move important items that may be subject to flooding to upper levels.
Consult your electricity and fuel suppliers (oil, natural gas, propane) for instructions on how to safely shut down and protect furnaces and other equipment, and the steps that need to be taken after a flood before restarting equipment.
Consult your property insurer about steps you should take if your property is flooded.
Follow the instructions of emergency response officials, such as police, fire and municipal staff. Important public notices will be shared the County of Brant's website News, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Remove valuable items from the basement and lower levels.
If you have a generator and/or portable pump, test them and have fuel on hand.
Make sure your sump pump is working.
Follow the instructions from your utility supplier (gas, electrical, propane, etc.) to safely shut down and protect furnaces and other appliances.
Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you’re wet or standing in water.
Prepare to evacuate if necessary. Collect necessary items such as cash, medication, important papers, identification and change of clothes. Consider evacuating your residence if streets in your neighbourhood are flooded. Emergency vehicles (ambulance, police cars, etc.) may not be able to get to your home.
Resist the urge to tour flooded areas. You may be putting your own life at risk and could interfere with the work of emergency responders.
Do not let children and pets near floodwaters or riverbanks.
Ensure your pets are not left alone during a flood by taking them to a kennel or leaving them with family and friends. To prepare a pet emergency kit, please visit the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.
If a road has been closed, obey the signs and take alternate routes. It is an offense to drive on a closed road and could void your insurance. To plan your route in an event of a flood and for travel safety, call or visit 511.
After a flood
Do not return home until authorities advise it is safe.
Report broken utility lines.
Consult your insurer about steps to take if your property is flooded. To learn more, visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
If you suspect your building has suffered structural damage, contact the building department 519.44BRANT (519.442.7268), 1.855.44BRANT or info@brant.ca
Exercise caution when re-entering your home. If the main power switch was not turned off prior to flooding, do not re-enter your home until a qualified electrician has determined it is safe to do so.
If your main electrical panel was under water, it must be cleaned, dried and tested by a qualified electrician to determine if it is safe. Do not use flooded appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes or fuse breaker panels until they have been checked by the power company.
If natural gas lines were under water, contact your gas supplier before resuming service. If natural gas appliances were under water, have them checked by an approved heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor.
The water in your home could be contaminated with sewage and other pollutants. Contact the local health unit for instructions. Do not eat food that’s come in contact with flood waters.
Learn more about sandbagging?
Forest Fire
Hazard information
While forest fires can be dangerous to people and property, being prepared in advance and knowing what actions to take can better protect you.
Open the fireplace damper and close fireplace screens
Turn a light on in each room to make your home easier to see in heavy smoke
Turn off air conditioners
Have a flashlight, extra batteries and a battery-powered radio close at hand in case the power goes out
Keep all family members and pets together
If you are told to leave your home:
If instructed to evacuate immediately, do so
Choose a route away from fire hazards – see Ontario’s Emergency area orders and listen to radio or TV
Watch for changes in speed and direction of fire and smoke
Wear clothing and footwear that can protect you against flying sparks and ashes
Take your pets with you
If there is time before you leave:
Pack as you would for a week's vacation: clothes, cash, medications, etc.
Remove flammable materials away from your house
Turn on sprinklers to wet the lawn
Turn off the gas line to your home
Tell someone when you leave and where you are going
If you are outdoors during a wildfire:
Don’t try to outrun the fire — find a pond or river to crouch in
If you’re not near water, go to a lower level clearing
If you’re near a road, lie face down along the road cut or in the ditch. Cover yourself with soil or anything else that will shield you from the fire's heat
Protect your lungs by breathing air closest to the ground through a moist cloth to avoid inhaling smoke
Tips on how to be Fire Smart
Shore lunch and campfires are responsible for wildfires every spring. Residents are reminded that they must tend their fires at all times, making sure to put them dead out before leaving. If it is windy, the risk of a wildfire is high – don’t burn!
Residents planning on burning grass, brush or other wood debris should consider composting or taking material to landfill sites instead. Each spring, grass fires get out of control and cause needless damage to barns, homes and cottages.
Planning to use fireworks this weekend? Under the Forest Fires Prevention Act(FFPA), any person who sets off fireworks is responsible to ensure any hot residue from the discharge of fireworks is extinguished. There may also be municipal by-laws in place regarding the use of fireworks.
Residents are reminded of their responsibilities under the FFPA. All forest fires are investigated to determine the cause, and a person can be held responsible for the costs of extinguishing or property damage incurred by a forest fire.
Residents within organized municipalities should check with local fire departments or municipal offices for any burning restrictions in their area.
Freezing Rain/Ice Storm (#2 Risk in the County of Brant)
Many Canadians take joy in the sight of big, fluffy snowflakes during winter. However, sometimes winter weather isn’t always so picturesque. Freezing rain coats our sidewalks and cars in ice, which is even more slippery than snow.
Ice storm safety tips
Freezing rain occurs when raindrops fall from a warm layer of air into air that is below freezing and become supercooled. When the supercooled droplets strike a surface below 0°C they instantly freeze, forming a layer of ice.
Ice storms:
Freezing rain can occur anywhere in the country, but is particularly common in Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.
Remember that ice, branches or power lines can continue to break and fall for several hours after the end of the precipitation.
What to do
Ice from freezing rain accumulates on branches, power lines and buildings. If you must go outside when a significant amount of ice has accumulated, pay attention to branches or wires that could break due to the weight of the ice and fall on you.
Never approach power lines. A hanging power line could be charged (live) and you could be electrocuted. Stay back at least 10 meters (33 feet) from wires or anything in contact with them.
When freezing rain is forecast, avoid driving if possible. Even a small amount of freezing rain can make roads extremely slippery. Wait several hours after freezing rain ends so that road maintenance crews have enough time to spread sand or salt on icy roads.
Rapid onsets of freezing rain combined with strong winds increase the chances for hypothermia. If you live on a farm, move livestock promptly to shelter where feed is available. Forage is often temporarily inaccessible during and immediately after ice storms.
Emergency Bulletins will be issued by Ontario through local radio and television stations, and social media. These bulletins will:
Identify that a concern exists and where it's occurring
Advise on precautionary and protective measures
Announce when the emergency is over
Normally people are evacuated from an area well before radiation is released into the atmosphere – so radioactive contamination is very unlikely.
If there is a concern, you may be asked to:
Stay indoors
Close all windows and doors
Turn off heating or air conditioning to avoid bringing potentially contaminated air indoors
Be ready to leave your home if the situation changes
If you're told to leave your home:
Close and lock windows and doors
Follow instructions and routes given by officials
Bring with you:
important documents and identification;
sufficient clothing, medication, canned or dried food, water, cash;
specialty items — baby needs, medical equipment;
pets, food, carriers, leashes, vaccination forms.
Prepare Now
Review and discuss the safety tips with your entire household to make sure everyone understands what to do in a nuclear incident.
Plan several evacuation routes away from your home by car and by foot.
Sign up for emergency alerts from the Province of Ontario. Subscribers receive timely and accurate information during an emergency via Twitter, email, text messaging or Facebook.
The very first commercial oil production in North America started in Ontario in 1858. Since that time, many tens of thousands of wells have been drilled in the province, predominantly in southern Ontario. Today, we have more than 3000 active oil and gas wells in Ontario. Some orphaned wells may not have any visible infrastructure above ground.
The following are potential hazards associated with oil and gas wells:
Leaking wells – if fluids are escaping from the well, there may be surface indications such as soil staining and vegetation die-off.
Hydrogen Sulphide – a poisonous gas (rotten egg smell) that may be released from leaking wells.
High pressure / Flammability – natural gas and oil may be released at high pressures around wells. These fluids are flammable and combustible.
Subsidence – sinking of the ground over existing or past solution-mined caverns.
Blowouts – occur when unexpected natural gas is encountered and gas/oil/ fluid is released at the drilling rig sometimes resulting in fires or spills.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Petroleum Operations Section (POS) develops and enforces the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Act, regulations and provincial operating standards.
Safety tips
People who are property owners should be mindful:
before you buy a property, check to determine if there are any records of petroleum wells.
if developing a property, check to determine if there are any records of petroleum wells. Check with the County of Brant for any setback requirements. If developing in an area of known activity, have a contingency plan to deal with any unrecorded wells.
wells are not registered on title. If you purchase a property with a well, you should consult with your lawyer and insurance provider to determine responsibilities.
Pandemic occurs when an infectious disease spreads throughout the global population. It is different than an epidemic, which is usually contained within a region or country.
The Ministry of Health and Long-term Care works with local public health units and healthcare providers to prepare for a flu pandemic:
monitor flu in Ontario and in the rest of the world;
stockpile antiviral drugs and equipment;
deploy drugs and protective equipment to where they are needed quickly;
develop emergency plans for delivering healthcare services;
administer vaccines as they become available.
Hazard Information
Pandemic occurs when an infectious disease spreads throughout the global population.
Pandemics may arise from a new strain of influenza. Since the virus is new, the human population is likely to have little to no immunity against it.
Safety Tips
Wash your hands often with soap and water for about 15 seconds, including:
before and after eating;
after you have been in a public place;
after using the washroom;
after coughing and sneezing;
after touching surfaces that other people also touch.
Stay healthy by eating well, drinking lots of water, getting regular exercise and plenty of rest
Get your annual flu shot
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Prepare Now
Add these items to your emergency survival kit:
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer that's between 60 and 90% alcohol
You can install a non-electric standby stove or heater. Choose heating units that are not dependent on an electric motor, electric fan, or some other electric device to function. It is important to adequately vent the stove or heater with the type of chimney flue specified for it. Never connect two heating units to the same chimney flue at the same time.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, have the chimney cleaned every fall in preparation for use and to eliminate creosote build-up which could ignite and cause a chimney fire.
If the standby heating unit will use the normal house oil or gas supply, have it connected with shut-off valves by a certified tradesperson.
Before considering the use of an emergency generator during a power outage, check with furnace, appliance and lighting fixture dealers or manufacturers regarding power requirements and proper operating procedures.
People with disabilities or others requiring assistance
Consider how you may be affected in a power outage, including:
Your evacuation route - without elevator service (if applicable).
Planning for a backup power supply for essential medical equipment.
Keeping a flashlight and a cell phone handy to signal for help.
Establishing a self-help network to assist and check on you during an emergency.
Enrolling in a medical alert program that will signal for help if you are immobilized.
Keeping a list of facilities that provide life-sustaining equipment or treatment.
Keeping a list of medical conditions and treatment.
If you live in an apartment, advise the property management that you may need assistance staying in your apartment or that you must be evacuated if there is a power outage. This will allow the property manager to plan and make the necessary arrangements on your behalf.
During a power outage
First, check whether the power outage is limited to your home. If your neighbours' power is still on, check your own circuit breaker panel or fuse box. If the problem is not a breaker or a fuse, check the service wires leading to the house. If they are obviously damaged or on the ground, stay at least 10 meters back and notify your electric supply authority. Keep the number along with other emergency numbers near your telephone.
If your neighbours' power is also out, notify your electric supply authority.
Turn off all tools, appliances and electronic equipment, and turn the thermostat(s) for the home heating system down to minimum to prevent damage from a power surge when power is restored. Also, power can be restored more easily when there is not a heavy load on the electrical system.
Turn off all lights, except one inside and one outside, so that both you and hydro crews outside know that power has been restored.
Don't open your freezer or fridge unless it is absolutely necessary. A full freezer will keep food frozen for 24 to 36 hours if the door remains closed.
Never use charcoal or gas barbecues, camping heating equipment, or home generators indoors or in garages. They give off carbon monoxide. Because you can't smell or see it, carbon monoxide can cause health problems and is life-threatening.
Use proper candle holders. Never leave lit candles unattended and keep out of reach of children. Always extinguish candles before going to bed.
Listen to your battery-powered or wind-up radio for information on the outage and advice from authorities.
Tips:
Make sure your home has a working carbon monoxide detector. If it is hard-wired to the house's electrical supply, ensure it has a battery-powered back-up.
Protect sensitive electrical appliances such as TVs, computer, and DVD players with a surge-protecting power bar.
Use of home generators
Home generators are handy for backup electricity in case of an outage, but must only be used in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. A back-up generator may only be connected to your home's electrical system through an approved transfer panel and switch that has been installed by a qualified electrician. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet as serious injury can result when the current produced by the home generator is fed back into the electrical lines, and transformed to a higher voltage. This can endanger the lives of utility employees working to restore the power.
To operate a generator safely:
Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Ensure that the generator operates outdoors in well-ventilated conditions, well away from doors or windows, and never in your garage, to prevent exhaust gases from entering the house.
Connect lights and appliances directly to the generator. If extension cords must be used, ensure they are properly rated, CSA-approved cords.
If you have to evacuate
Evacuation is more likely during winter months, when plummeting temperatures can make a house inhabitable. Although a house can be damaged by low temperatures, the major threat is to the plumbing system. If a standby heating system is used, check to see that no part of the plumbing system can freeze.
If the house must be evacuated, protect it by taking the following precautions:
Turn off the main breaker or switch of the circuit-breaker panel or power-supply box.
Turn off the water main where it enters the house. Protect the valve, inlet pipe, and meter or pump with blankets or insulation material.
Drain the water from your plumbing system. Starting at the top of the house, open all taps, and flush toilets several times. Go to the basement and open the drain valve. Drain your hot water tank by attaching a hose to the tank drain valve and running it to the basement floor drain.
Note: If you drain a gas-fired water tank, the pilot light should be turned out - call the local gas supplier to re-light it.
Unhook washing machine hoses and drain.
Do not worry about small amounts of water trapped in horizontal pipes. Add a small amount of glycol or antifreeze to water left in the toilet bowl, and the sink and bathtub traps.
If your house is protected from groundwater by a sump pump, clear valuables from the basement floor in case of flooding.
After a power outage
Do not enter a flooded basement unless you are sure the power is disconnected.
Do not use flooded appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes or fuse-breaker panels until they have been checked and cleaned by a qualified electrician.
Replace the furnace flue (if removed) and turn off the fuel to the standby heating unit.
Switch on the main electric switch (before, check to ensure appliances, electric heaters, TVs, microwaves computers, etc. were unplugged to prevent damage from a power surge).
Give the electrical system a chance to stabilize before reconnecting tools and appliances. Turn the heating-system thermostats up first, followed in a couple of minutes by reconnection of the fridge and freezer. Wait 10 to 15 minutes before reconnecting all other tools and appliances.
Close the drain valve in the basement.
Turn on the water supply. Close lowest valves/taps first and allow air to escape from upper taps.
Make sure that the hot water heater is filled before turning on the power to it.
Check food supplies in refrigerators, freezers and cupboards for signs of spoilage. If a freezer door has been kept closed, food should stay frozen 24 to 36 hours, depending on the temperature. When food begins to defrost (usually after two days), it should be cooked; otherwise it should be thrown out.
As a general precaution, keep a bag of ice cubes in the freezer. If you return home after a period of absence and the ice has melted and refrozen, there is a good chance that the food is spoiled. When in doubt, throw it out!
Reset your clocks, automatic timers, and alarms.
Restock your emergency kit so the supplies will be there when needed again.
Take the following steps so you and your family are prepared in the event of an emergency:
Have a safe room in your home where everyone gathers during a storm — away from windows, skylights and glass doors
If there's a tornado, gather in a basement, storm cellar or interior room on the lowest floor
Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage
Bring inside or tie-down garbage cans and lawn furniture
Use surge protectors — a safety electrical plug that will shut off the power if lightning strikes to prevent damage to your computer and other household items
Environment and Climate Change Canada also offers the WeatherCanmobile app that provides weather alerts right to your phone to keep you informed.
Tornado (#5 Risk in the County of Brant)
Hazard information
A tornado (or twister) is a powerful rotating column of wind that can hurt people and damage property. Very large thunderstorms can create many tornadoes. Tornadoes can appear after a heavy rain or hail in a sky that is green, yellow or black.
Seek shelter immediately if a warning has been issued or you believe one could occur
If you're indoors:
The safest place to be is an underground shelter, basement or safe room
If you don't have a basement, go to the centre of an interior room on the lowest level away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls - put as many walls as possible between you and the outside
Get under a sturdy piece of furniture — use your arms to protect your head and neck
Don't open windows
If you're outdoors:
don't wait until you see the tornado to get inside
if you can't get inside, lie flat in a ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands
don't go under an overpass or bridge - you're safer in a low, flat area
If you're in a mobile home:
Go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter immediately. Mobile homes do not offer much protection from tornadoes.
Environment and Climate Change Canada also offers the WeatherCanmobile app that provides weather alerts right to your phone to keep you informed.
Emergency Directives
Local authorities may issue directives to protect the public and may include: Shelter-in-Place and Evacuation.
Shelter-in-Place
Sheltering is appropriate when conditions require that you seek protection in your home, place of employment or other location when there is a threat to personal safety (i.e. hazardous spills, dangerous predators).
Local authorities will advise you to stay in your home or shelter-in-place until the emergency is over.
Emergencies that require shelter-in-place include:
A hazardous substance in the air
A tornado
A severe winter storm
An earthquake
Event that could harm the public
If the emergency is related to an environmental hazard:
Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
Turn off all fans, heating and air-conditioning systems to avoid drawing in air from the outside.
Close the fireplace damper.
Get your emergency kit and make sure the radio is working.
Go to an interior room that's above ground level (if possible, one without windows). In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.
Using duct or other wide tape, seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
Continue to monitor your radio or television until you are told all is safe or are advised to evacuate.
Authorities will not ask you to leave your home unless they have reason to believe you are in danger.
If you are directed to evacuate, take:
your emergency kit
your emergency plan
essential medications and copies of prescriptions
a cellular phone (if you have one)
your pets
Pets are not allowed in some emergency shelters, so plan in advance for a pet-friendly location.
Protect your home:
Shut off water and electricity if officials tell you to.
Leave natural gas service on, unless officials tell you to turn it off. (If you turn off the gas, the gas company has to reconnect it. In a major emergency, it could take weeks for a professional to respond. You would be without gas for heating and cooking).
Lock your home.
If you have time:
Call or e-mail your out-of-town contact. Tell them where you are going and when you expect to arrive. (Once you are safe, let them know. Tell them if any family members have become separated.)
Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
If you are driving in emergency conditions:
Keep the radio on to hear important information and have a cellular phone with you.
Follow the routes specified by officials.
Don’t take short cuts; they could lead you to a blocked or dangerous area.
Watch for fallen power lines, debris, damaged bridges or roads and dangling wires.
If you are a senior or someone who may need additional assistance during an emergency, visit the 'Persons Requiring Additional Assistance' webpage for additional resources. We also offer additional resources for farmers. Visit the 'Farm Animals' webpage for additional resources.
Everyone should keep a survival kit of crucial supplies in case an emergency happens and utilities are out, roads are closed or you can't leave your home. Prepare to take care of yourself and your family for up to three days. Make sure everyone in your family knows where your emergency kit items are stored.
Essentials
Keep in mind the special needs of people in your house: babies and toddlers may need milk, formula and diapers
Keep at least one week's supply of any medication your family members need, extra eyeglasses, an extra oxygen cylinder if needed and copies of prescriptions
Keep at least three days' supply of food including ready-to-eat foods that don't need to be refrigerated (canned food, crackers, peanut butter, sugar, instant coffee, tea, etc.) Replace canned and dry food once a year
Keep at least four litres of water per person in your house (2L for drinking, 2L for food preparation, hygiene and dishwashing)
Keep a supply of water purification tablets
Keep three days' supply of pet food and water
Contact list
Equipment
Food (non-perishable and easy-to-prepare items, enough for 3 days) and a manual can opener
Bottled water (4 litres per person for each day)
Medication(s)
Flashlight
Radio (crank or battery-run)
Extra batteries
First-aid kit
Candles and matches/lighter
Hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
Important papers (identification, contact lists, copies of prescriptions, etc.)
Extra car keys and cash
Whistle (to attract attention, if needed)
Zip-lock bag (to keep things dry)
Garbage bags
Pet food and supplies
Car Kit
It is also a good idea to store the following items in your car at all times:
Shovel
Sand, salt or kitty litter
Traction mats
Tow chain
Compass
Cloth or roll of paper towels
Warning light or road flares
Extra clothing and footwear
Emergency food pack
Axe or hatchet
Booster cables
Ice scraper and brush
Road maps
Matches and a "survival" candle in a deep can (to warm hands, heat a drink or use as an emergency light)
Fire extinguisher
Methyl hydrate (for fuel line and windshield de-icing)
Flashlight
First-aid kit with seatbelt cutter
Blanket (special "survival" blankets are best)
Pets are members of the family too!
Pets are members of the family. Make sure to include your pets when developing your family emergency plan. Making arrangements before an emergency will increase your pet’s chances for survival and ability to cope. assemble a pet emergency survival kit and be ready to take your pet and their kit with you in the event you have to evacuate.
The County of Brant has a Emergency Management Program Bylaw 162-18 which outlines the County's commitment to developing and implementing an emergency plan while conforming to the Emergency Management Ontario standards.
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