Preparing for an Emergency

Calgary is a great city for so many reasons. The people here are hardworking and kind, and the city itself is clean and welcoming. Most importantly--especially to those of us in the real estate industry--the location is incredible. After all, you know what they say: location is everything.

Nestled right between the prairies and the mountains, Calgary is ideal if you like beautiful views and experiencing all four seasons. Another perk of this city's location is that it remains relatively untouched by natural disasters. It is too close to the mountains to get tornadoes, and too far from the sea to get hurricanes. It is not significantly affected by earthquakes, and is not in a hot bed for forest fires. Albeit a little too much snow some winters, Calgary really is quite safe from disasters of all kind.

However, as we learned back in 2013, the unexpected can always happen. In 2013 Calgary was flooded after heavy rainfall all June. As soon as the Bow and Elbow rivers broke, most of the downtown core and the surrounding communities were flooded. Two neighbourhoods that we work closely with, Bowness and Montgomery, were significantly affected by the 2013 flood. The flood caught Calgarians off guard, many having just hours to flee their homes.

Thankfully cases like these are rare, but disasters are unavoidable. This is why you need to be prepared with an Emergency Kit.

Preparing for the worst does not make you paranoid or crazy; it simply makes you prepared. Here are 4 things you need to have ready to go as part of your emergency response, just in case:

1. An Emergency Binder: Put all of your important documents (or at least photocopies) into a binder with sleeve protectors so that you can easily grab all documentation you will need in case of emergency. Include things like identification, passports, insurance information, home ownership documents, wills, banking information and whatever else you have that you do not want to lose record of. 
2. Food & Water: Calgary does a wonderful job of making sure that in the face of disaster, citizens basic needs are being met. However, you can help your family by having a Rubbermaid containing nonperishables you could use if emergency strikes. Consider items such as water, granola bars, canned & dried foods, and more that could be consumed without needing a source of energy to prepare them. 
3. Shelter & Clothing: Shelter is one of those basic things we don't think of; until we desperately need it. Having a compactable tent and warm blankets set aside to grab quickly in case of an emergency can be a literal life saver. You don't need a fancy set up, you just need something to get you through to the next day. Having warm clothes and extra socks and underwear set aside in a 'grab bag' will also make a big difference. 
4. Emergency Kit: Most people have a small emergency & medical kit somewhere in their home. Make sure it is fully stocked with things such as: band aids, alcohol wipes, tensor wraps, painkillers, a flashlight with extra batteries, foil blankets, something to use as a help signal, compass, rope, etc.

Remember: you may need to grab things quickly. It is better to have this all ready to go than to be scrambling in the moment. Be prepared!