Evacuation

What To Do?

In some emergencies, as described on the previous page, municipal officials may request that you leave your home or place of work. Your local police, fire service, or other municipal employees may be the first agencies to advise you to leave, or you might hear information and announcements on your local radio or TV station requesting you to evacuate.

Should any of the situations described above occur, and you are asked to leave, the following steps should be taken:

• Plan several different places you could go and find out where designated shelters are in your area.
• Vacate your home or work when municipal officials request you to do so. Ignoring such a request could put you and your family's health or safety at risk.
• Listen to your local radio stations for information on the location of evacuation/reception centres.
• Leave a note for your family that you have left and where you have gone. This will also assist emergency workers who might be going door-to-door.
• Take your survival kit.
• Shut off utilities before leaving, if requested to do so. As part of your emergency planning, consult your local utilities. They can provide you with advice on the best way to do this.
• Lock your house or business.
• Leave via any designated evacuation routes.
• Register with the local reception centre so that you can be contacted and reunited with your family.
• Notify your family contact of your location and condition.