As clocks fall back this weekend, our neighbouring municipality of Oxford County has some helpful reminders anyone can use.
The seasonal time change is the perfect opportunity to refresh emergency kits and prepare for possible winter storms or power outages.
Officials say your kit should include enough food, water, and supplies for at least 72 hours — and to think beyond that for special needs, medications, or pets. Some The following items should be included in your basic emergency kit and packed in an easy-to-carry bag/tote:
– Flashlight and batteries
– Radio and batteries or crank radio
– Spare batteries (for radio and flashlight)
– First-aid kit
– Telephone that can work during a power disruption
– Candles and matches/lighter
– Extra car keys and cash
– Important papers (identification)
– Non-perishable food (ready-to-eat items that do not require refrigeration)
– Manual can opener
– Bottled water (4 litres per person per day)
– Clothing and footwear
– Blankets or sleeping bag
– Toilet paper and other personal items
– Medication
– Whistle (to attract attention, if needed)
Families are encouraged to check for missing or expired items, update first aid supplies, and keep important documents like identification and emergency contacts current.
Residents should also use this reminder to test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Old batteries should be recycled, not thrown in the garbage — they can be dropped off for free at the Oxford County Waste Management Facility or Woodstock’s EnviroDepot.
For those who haven’t yet built a kit, Oxford County offers a complete emergency supplies checklist at www.oxford72hours.ca (http://www.oxford72hours.ca).
