08/13/2025
Taken from a shared post...
🚨 **Evacuation Readiness Checklist** 🚨
If you’re under an evacuation warning, now is the time to act. Pack, prepare, and protect your home **before** you’re told to leave.
**📦 Pack Your Essentials:**
* Government-issued ID, MCP Cards, passports, birth/marriage certificates, insurance policies, banking documents, wills
* YOUR HOME INSURANCE CARRIER NAME. Contact numbers and policy numbers are even better!
* Wallet, bank cards, all cash - keep your small bills ready
* Prescription medications, vitamins and supplements, medical devices, glasses/contact lenses, sunglasses.
* Keys/Passwords– house, car, safe, internet access, security system.
* Phones, chargers, backup battery packs
* 7 Days change of clothes, sturdy footwear, coats/hats/gloves (seasonal) It's not a fashion show - just be comfortable. DON'T JUST THINK ABOUT THE CURRENT WEATHER - IT'S HOT NOW BUT YOU MAY BE AWAY FROM HOME FOR A WHILE - BRING A SWEATER AND LONG PANTS!
* Toiletries & personal hygiene supplies
* Enough food, water & snacks for at least your evacuation travel time
* Pet food, treats, kennels, leashes, carriers, vaccination records
* Reusable water bottle, insulated mug, etc
* If you love your pillow - bring it - small comforts.
* Check your mail if you have "Super Mailboxes".
* Work clothes, work badges/IDs, computers, etc.
**💻 Secure Digital & Important Items:**
* External hard drives or USBs with important files & photos
* Laptop/tablet & accessories and chargers
* Take photos of each room, artwork, house exterior, outbuildings, vehicles that you can't take, valuables & important receipts for insurance purposes
*If you have doorbell cameras, security systems, etc. - arrange them in a way that you can see your house exterior, interior, etc remotely. (This has been a big help for me!)
*IF YOU HAVE MORE VEHICLES THAN YOU CAN MOVE AT ONCE - MOVE THEM NOW TO A SAFE PLACE.
**🏠 Prepare Your Home:**
* Shut and lock all windows & doors
* Shut off your air exchanger systems
* Turn off propane
* Unplug electronics & small appliances
* Move all mobile flammable items away from the house - such as playgrounds, trampolines, etc.
* Close curtains/blinds to reduce radiant heat risk
** Protect the First Responders. **
* Place a sign in your front window saying "Evacuated" so responders know you are gone
* If you have time and it's safe, move gasoline cans, kerosine, solvents, propane cylinders, etc., to a detached, well-ventilated outbuilding away from your house. But NEVER transport large quantities of fuel in your evacuation vehicle at this point.
* Disconnect battery chargers and remove potential sparks near flammables.
* If there's significant fuel or chemical storage you can't move, leave a visible note on your front door or gate (e.g. "Hazardous fuels stored in shed/backyard" so firefighters know. This helps them keep distance or take extra precautions.
**🚗 Get Your Vehicle Ready:**
* Fill the gas tank
* Park facing the road for quick departure
* Load as much as possible now so you can leave quickly - we had 60 minutes notice!
* Have a blanket or two and your pillow in case you need to sleep in your vehicle for a night.
**👨👩👧 Plan Your Departure:**
* Decide on 2 or more safe routes out of your neighbourhood
* Share your evacuation plan & destination with friends/family
* Keep pets secured and ready to load. Have a carrier for each pet, food and water, food dishes, litter box and litter, collars and leashes.
* Listen to local radio/official updates - subscribe ONLY to reliable news sources
* If you have respiratory masks (N95) bring them in case you need to travel through a smoky area.
**When you get out.**
* NOTIFY AUTHORITIES: As soon as you can, notify the Red Cross, and any other applicable authorities to verify your evacuation and to access any supports provided.
*Find a secure place, family or friends or secure storage, to secure your important items so they are not in your vehicle all the time.
*Reach out to supports: health, emotional, Red Cross, church, etc. if you need additional help.
💡 **Tip:** Even if you’re not told to go yet, be *ready* to leave in minutes. When the order comes, there’s no time to debate or pack.
Stay safe, look out for your neighbours, and help each other where you can ❤️
