Be prepared, Nunavut government minister urges

Nunavummiut should take steps to be ready for emergencies, Lorne Kusugak, Nunavut’s minister of community and government services said in the territorial legislature May 7.

Emergency Preparedness Week runs from May 6 to 12, and it’s “an opportunity to remind Nunavummiut to be prepared and know what to do in the event of an emergency,” Kusugak said in his minister’s statement.

The theme for Emergency Preparedness Week is: “72 Hours…Is your family prepared?”

That’s because the standard goal is for people to have enough supplies for 72 hours — three days — in the event of an emergency, Kusugak said.

By taking a few simple steps, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencie, he said.

It is important to:

• Know the risks — whether it’s a severe storm, blizzard, power outage, fire or accident, knowing what precautions to take and what to do during an emergency is important to your family’s safety and security;

• Make a plan — every household needs an emergency plan;

• Make a list of emergency contact numbers;

• Practice how to safely leave from your home and designate a meeting place to reunite with family in case of emergencies;

• Get an emergency kit — be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in an emergency; and,

• Keep an emergency kit that includes extra water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, radio, extra medication, and extra cash.

“Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. I encourage all Nunavummiut to get prepared to ensure their family’s safety and security in the event of an emergency,” Kusugak said.

For more emergency preparedness tips and tools, you can visit the “get prepared” website.