The 72-hour emergency preparedness rule aims to help Canadians prepare for extreme weather and modern cyber threats. The federal government, through its ‘Get Prepared’ campaign, has issued official guidelines advising households to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.
Suzanne Bernier of the Disaster Recovery Institute of Canada explains that this same recommendation has been in place for the past 30 years. Bernier further emphasizes that these renewed warnings are not intended to create panic but to serve as a practical reminder to ensure self-sufficiency.
72-Hour Emergency Preparedness Guidelines
The supplies for a basic 72-hour kit should first and foremost include water and food. Households are advised to store 4 litres of water per person per day. Of this amount, 2 litres of water are intended for drinking, while the remaining 2 litres can be used for food preparation and hygiene. Non-perishable foods and ready-to-eat items are recommended. In addition, citizens are also advised to keep basic food preparation tools such as a manual can opener.
Emergency lighting sources such as battery-powered flashlights are essential. Moreover, keeping a battery-powered radio to receive official broadcasts is also advised in case cellular networks and
internet services are disrupted. The emergency kit should also contain extra batteries and a fully charged portable power bank.
Standard first-aid kits are important in case of emergencies. Additionally, citizens should store at least a three-day supply of essential prescription medications. Those who wear prescription glasses or contact lenses are advised to keep spare ones.
