Hazardous Materials Release and Sheltering-in-Place
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Hazardous materials can pose a great danger to you and your family. In the event of an emergency where hazardous materials may have been released into the atmosphere, authorities may instruct you to shelter in place.
This is a precaution aimed to keep you and your family safe while remaining in your home. If you are told to shelter in place, take your children and pets indoors immediately.
While gathering your family, you can provide a minimal amount of protection to your ability to breathe by covering your mouth and nose with a damp cloth.
What Shelter-in-Place Means: |
One of the instructions you may be given in an emergency where hazardous materials may have been released into the atmosphere is to shelter-in-place. This is a precaution aimed to keep you safe while remaining indoors. (This is not the same thing as going to a shelter in case of a storm.) Shelter-in-place means selecting a small, interior room, with no or few windows, and taking refuge there.
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Why you Might Need to Shelter-in-Place: |
Chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants may be released accidently into the environment. Should this occur, information will be provided by local authorities on television and radio stations on how to protect you and your family. Because information will most likely be provided on television and radio, government websites, social media or wireless public alerting, it is important to keep a TV or radio on, even during the workday. The important thing is for you to follow instructions of local authorities and know what to do if they advise you to shelter-in-place.
If the need to shelter in place should arise, local authorities will typically broadcast through TV, radio, government websites, social media or wireless public alerting. Alert Ready and/or Alert Waterloo Region
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How to Shelter-in-Place: |
- Close all windows and exterior doors.
- If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds or curtains.
- Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems to avoid drawing air in from the outside.
- Close fireplace dampers.
- Get your family 72 hr Emergency Kit and make sure your battery-operated radio is working.
- Go to an interior room with few or no windows that is at or above ground level. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground room is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.
- Bring your pets with you, and be sure to bring additional food and water supplies for them.
- It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room you select. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
- Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than the kind used to wrap food) to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
- Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate.
Sheltering-in-place is meant to protect you and your family for a few hours. Shelter in Place techniques are effective because they are easily and quickly accomplished. In a matter of moments, you can be safe inside your pre-selected room. For more information about shelter-in-place, contact your local emergency management office.
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Power Outages |
Severe weather and high winds can cause unexpected power outages, but they aren't the only reasons you might experience an outage. You may experience discomfort due to outages caused by animal contact, equipment failure, fallen trees, motor vehicle collisions or planned line services.
See below for a few tips to keep you prepared.
Before the Power goes out |
- Have emergency light sources (flashlights, batteries, rechargeable flashlights) in all major rooms of your house such as the kitchen, hallways, family rooms, and bedrooms.
- Consider a portable mobile device charger that can keep your phone charged without electricity.
- Have several coolers or ice chests on hand (inexpensive Styrofoam coolers will work), and get a supply of ice for food storage in the event of a long-term power outage.
- Install surge protectors in your home to safeguard valuable electronic equipment such as computers and home entertainment systems.
- Make sure you have at least one vehicle with no less than half a tank of fuel; gas pumps are electrically operated and gas stations will shut down during a power outage.
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During a Power Outage |
- First check to see if your neighbours have power. If you are the only home without electricity, check the main fuse in your electric service panel or fuse box to see if the main circuit breaker has been tripped or if a fuse has blown. If your neighbours don't have electricity either, then you know there has been a power outage in your area.
- Turn off all major non-essential appliances such as your electric range and washer/dryer. Appliances and tools left switched on will start up automatically when your power is restored; turning them off prevents injury or fire.
- Avoid opening the fridge unless necessary. See "prepare an emergency food supply" below.
- If you light candles, use candle holders and NEVER leave burning candles unattended.
Stay up-to-date on power outage information, including outage maps, by visiting the Energy+ Inc. website. You can also contact Energy+ Inc. at (1-833)769-3701 to report an outage.


For more power outage tips, visit the Waterloo Region Emergency Management website
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Severe Winter Weather |
Severe winter weather includes ice storms, blizzards, extreme cold, and other severe winter storms that pose a threat to life, property, or the environment, staying warm and safe can be a challenge. Winter storms can bring extreme temperatures, extended power failures, loss of communication services, and dangerous road conditions. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, you should know how to prepare your home and your car before a winter storm hits.
Before the Storm Hits |
Listen to weather forecasts, check and restock your 72 hour emergency kit; make sure you have extra blankets, batteries, emergency food and water supply, etc. ready to go before the storm hits. Even though we can’t always predict extreme cold in advance, weather forecasts can sometimes give you several days of notice to prepare.
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For older adults, keep an easy-to-read thermometer inside your home. If you or a loved one are over 65 years old, place an easy-to-read thermometer in an indoor location where you will see it frequently. Our ability to feel a change in temperature decreases with age. Older adults are more susceptible to health problems caused by cold. Check the temperature of your home often during the winter months.
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Expect stores to be busy - buy emergency supplies in advance
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Plan to be without electricity - and heat - for 72 hours
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Winterize your vehicle - ensure you have snow tires installed well in advance of the winter storm season
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Create an emergency car kit
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Make a communications plan for your family - how are you going to get in contact with each other if you’re away from home when the storm hits? How are you going to get everyone home? (Click here to download a Family communication plan)
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Make a plan to check in with neighbours, family, friends and anyone else who may need your help or whose help you may need.
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Prepare a plan to help your family evacuate if needed.
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During the Storm
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Keep warm; change out of wet clothing, wear multiple layers, keep plenty of blankets available.
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Stay indoors, if you must go out, dress for the weather to avoid serious cold-related injuries.
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Use your 72 hour emergency kit.
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Avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.
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If you must drive, keep on main roads and avoid unplowed side roads.
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Do NOT use propane stoves or barbecues indoors. They release deadly carbon monoxide fumes when used indoors.
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Consult safety manual when using space heaters - keep heat sources at least three feet away from furniture and curtains.
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Check in with neighbours, family, and friends.
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Evacuate if necessary or if advised to do so from officials.
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After the Storm
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If power in your home remains out beyond 72 hours, consider going to an emergency shelter (if available) or staying with friends and family.
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Consult your utility company before reconnecting power and gas.
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Check in with neighbours, family, and friends.
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Safely begin to clear debris around your property - fallen tree branches, shovel snow, etc.
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Keep away from any fallen power lines and do not attempt to remove debris near or on power lines.
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Check with your local waste department for debris collection schedules.
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Ice Storm
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Ice storms can be the winter's worst hazard. The severity of ice storms depends on the accumulation of ice, the duration of the event, the location and extent of the area affected. Ice can bring down power lines, tree limbs and sometimes even fully uproot a tree.
When ice is in the forecast, be sure to make sure you are prepared.
- Check where your car is parked. Make sure it is not under power lines or a tree which can be brought down by ice. Use your garage if you have one or park in a clear area.
- Bring your ice clearing tools inside. Make sure the ice doesn't keep you out of your vehicle by bringing your ice scraper, jumper cables, lock de-icer, etc. inside the house before the ice starts.
- Re-stock or put together your emergency kit.
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More Information
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For more information on how to prepare you and your family for severe winter weather check out the following:
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Extreme Heat
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Extreme Heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 32°C (90°F) for at least 2-3 days. In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which is why it is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards.
Prepare for Extreme Heat |
- Learn to recognize the signs of heat-related illnesses
- Identify places in your community where you can go to cool off if needed such as libraries, shopping malls, or a cooling centre
- Cover windows with drapes or shades
- Install window air conditioning units and insulate around them
- Use window reflectors
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During Extreme Heat |
- Never leave people or pets in a closed car on a warm day
- If air conditioning is not available in your home, go to a cooling centre
- Take cool showers or baths
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-coloured clothing
- If you are outside, find shade
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
- Check on family members, seniors, and neighbours
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Seasonal Preparedness
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As the seasons change, so do the hazards you need to be prepared for.



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Prepare an Emergency Food Supply
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An Emergency can easily disrupt the food supply at any time, so plan to have at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food on hand. Stock canned foods, dry mixes and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, water or special preparation. Be sure to include a manual can opener and eating utensils.
Keep foods that:
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Have a long storage life
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Require little or no cooking, water, or refrigeration, in case utilities are disrupted
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Meet the needs of babies or any special dietary needs
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You know your family will eat
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Are not very salty or spicy, as these foods increase the need for drinking water, which may be in short supply
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Meet pets’ needs
Suggested Foods List |
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Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables and a can opener
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Protein or fruit bars
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Dry cereal or granola
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Peanut butter
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Dried fruit
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Canned juices
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Non-perishable pasteurized milk
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High energy foods
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Food for infants
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Comfort/stress foods
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Food Safety & Sanitation |
When storing food, it is not necessary to buy dehydrated or other types of emergency food. Certain storage conditions can enhance the shelf life of canned or dried foods. The ideal location is a cool, dry, dark place. The best temperature is 4 °C (40 °F) -21 °C (70 °F).Without electricity or a cold source, food stored in refrigerators and freezers can become unsafe. Bacteria in food grow rapidly at temperatures between 4 °C (40 °F) to 60 °C (140 °F), and if these foods are consumed you can become very sick. Thawed food usually can be eaten if it is still “refrigerator cold.” It can be re-frozen if it still contains ice crystals. To be safe, remember, “When in doubt, throw it out.
Do:
- Keep food in covered containers.
- Keep cooking and eating utensils clean.
- Discard any food that has come into contact with contaminated flood water.
- Discard any food that has been at room temperature for two hours or more.
- Discard any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
- Use ready-to-feed formula. If you must mix infant formula use bottled water, or boiled as a last resort.
- Check the expiration dates on canned foods and dry mixes. Home-canned food usually needs to be thrown out after a year.
- Use and replace food before its expiration date.
- Protect food from rodents and insects. Items stored in boxes or in paper cartons will keep longer if they are heavily wrapped or stored in waterproof, airtight containers.
Don’t:
- Eat foods from cans that are swollen, dented or corroded, even though the product may look safe to eat.
- Eat any food that looks or smells abnormal, even if the can looks normal.
- Store foods near ranges or refrigerator exhausts. Heat causes many foods to spoil more quickly.
- Store food near petroleum products, such as gasoline, oil, paints, and solvents. Some food products absorb their smell.
- Let garbage accumulate inside, both for fire and sanitation reasons.
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Preparing Food/Cooking |
Preparing food after an emergency may be difficult due to damage to your home loss of electricity, gas, and water. Alternative cooking sources can be used including candle warmers, chafing dishes, fondue pots or a fireplace.
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Having the following items available will help you to prepare
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Cooking utensils
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Knives, forks, and spoons
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Paper plates, cups, and towels
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A manual can- and bottle-opener
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Heavy-duty aluminum foil
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Propane gas or charcoal grill; camp stove
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Fuel for cooking, such as charcoal. (CAUTION: Only use charcoal grills or camp stoves outside of your home to avoid smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning.)
Commercially canned food may be eaten out of the can without warming.
To heat food in a can:
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Remove the label.
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Thoroughly wash and disinfect the can. (Use a diluted solution of one part bleach to ten parts water.)
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Open the can before heating.
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Managing Food Without Power |
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Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
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The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened.
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Refrigerated or frozen foods should be kept at 4 °C (40 °F) or below for proper food storage.
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Use a refrigerator thermometer to check temperature.
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Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than 4 hours.
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Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers) that has been above 4 °C (40 °F) for two hours or more.
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Prepare an Emergency Water Supply |
- Store at least 4 litres of water per day for each person and each pet. Consider storing more water than this for hot climates, for pregnant women, and for people who are sick.
- Store at least a 3-day supply of water for each person and each pet. Try to store a 2-week supply if possible.
- Unopened commercially bottled water is the safest and most reliable emergency water supply. Observe the expiration date for store-bought water.
- Replace stored water that is not commercially bottled every six months.
- Label container as “drinking water” and include storage date.
- Keep stored water in a place with a fairly constant cool temperature.
- Do not store water containers in direct sunlight.
- Do not store water containers in areas where toxic substances such as gasoline or pesticides are present.
- Store a bottle of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach to disinfect your water and to use for general cleaning and sanitizing. Try to store bleach in an area where the average temperature stays around 21°C (70°F). Because the amount of active chlorine in bleach decreases over time due to normal decay, consider replacing the bottle each year.
Note: Alcohol dehydrates the body, which increases the need for drinking water.
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Water Containers (Cleaning & Storage) |
Use of clean, sealable and undamaged, food-grade water storage containers, such as those found at surplus or camping supply stores, is recommended if you prepare stored water yourself.
Containers must:
- be durable and made from non-porous material such as metal, glass or food grade plastic.
- be in good condition; clean and dry; no stains, cracks or chipped pieces.
- have tight sealing lids to protect you food/water and prevent leaks/spills.
Before filling with safe water, use these steps to clean and sanitize storage containers.
Avoid using the following containers to store safe water:
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Containers that cannot be sealed tightly
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Containers that can break, such as glass bottles
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Containers that have ever held toxic solid or liquid chemicals, such as bleach or pesticides
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Plastic or cardboard bottles, jugs, and containers used for milk or fruit juices
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