Gathering together fire trucks, ambulances, bomb disposal units and other emergency vehicles and personnel is always a sure-fire way to attract families.
While there was solid attendance at Sunday’s 2016 edition of the Emergency Preparedness Fair at Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, those on hand to demonstrate equipment took the opportunity wherever possible to present messages about safety and readiness for attendees.
While many families admittedly were there to bring the kids out to see the high-tech equipment up close, the fair was a one-stop place to find out all one needed to know about staying safe and being prepared in the event of a major catastrophe.
Fair co-founder Geoff Amy, Colwood’s emergency program co-ordinator, pointed out that the weekend event was a kickoff to national emergency preparedness week in Canada.
While earthquake readiness gets a lot of attention in the media, he said, people need to be prepared for other types of emergencies that may occur in or outside of the home.
That could include having a first aid kit on hand to deal with cuts and stem bleeding while en route to the hospital, or for those who live in rural areas, it might be stocking up on non-perishable food in case roads are blocked.
A backup generator to power your appliances is another item that is becoming more popular, in the event of extended power failures.
Making sure you have a spare tire in good shape in your vehicle is another one of those things many of us don’t think about often, but if your spare is flat or unusable, it could leave you with an unexpected long walk to find service. If you’re planning a longer driving trip, making sure your vehicle is prepared gives you and any passengers the best chance of reaching your destination safely.
Emergencies don’t have to be life-or-death situations for us to be prepared to handle them. It just takes some forethought and planning. After all, you and your family are worth it.