To help protect yourself and others around you in an emergency situation responding responsibly requires good common sense.

·             Follow the advice of local emergency officials

·             Listen to the local radio station (Mountain FM-106.5 on your dial).

·             If the disaster occurs near you, check for injuries – yourself and others (tend to your well-being first). Give first aid and get help for anyone seriously injured.

·             If the disaster occurs near your home while you are there, check for damage using a flashlight. Do not light matches or candles or turn on electrical appliances. Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards.

·             Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater or furnace. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows and get everyone outside.

·             Shut off any other damaged utilities. Notify the utility company of the damage.

·             Confine and secure your pets.

·             Call your family contact. Do no use the telephone again unless it is for a threatening emergency. Emergency crews will require all available telephone lines.

·             Check on your neighbours, especially those who are elderly or disabled.

In case of a flood, turn off basement furnaces and outside gas valve, and the electricity. Never try to cross a flood area on foot or drive down a flooded roadway. The fast water could sweep you away or a hole in the road not visible to you could submerge your vehicle.

In case of severe lightning storm, if you are in a building, stay inside. Stay away from windows, doors, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, metal pipes, sinks or other electrical charge conductors. Unplug TVs, radios, toasters and other electrical appliances. Don’t use the phone or other electrical equipment.

If you are outside, seek shelter in a building, cave or depressed area. Keep away from telephone and power lines, fences, trees and hilltops. Get off motorcycles, and tractors.

If you are in a car, stop the car and stay in it. Don’t stop near trees or power poles as they may fall.