Emergency preparedness week encourages Nunavummiut to prepare

The GN encourages all Nunavummiut to pack an emergency kit in case of major storms. (FILE PHOTO)

It’s Emergency Preparedness week across the country and the Government of Nunavut wants Nunavummiut to be safe in advance of any potential emergencies or storms.

The theme of this year’s week, which runs from May 4 to May 10, is “Know your Risks.”

A May 6 GN news release encourages all households to put together an emergency kit that includes extra water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, extra medication and warm clothes — for at least 72 hours.

Families should also:

• practice how to safely exit the home, and designate a meeting place to reunite;

• post a list of emergency contact numbers somewhere in the house;

• tie up loose items in the yard and stay inside during windstorms and blizzards to avoid
injury from flying debris; and,

• don’t use barbecues and propane or gas stoves indoors during power outages or storms
to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

For information on what to do before, during and after a power outage, Nunavut residents can visit www.nunavutpower.com.

And for more emergency preparedness tips and tools, visit www.getprepared.ca.