BE AWARE of threatening situations in your area.
PAY ATTENTION to the weather and to warnings issued. 

Alberta Emergency Alert delivers important information regarding a Safety Threat to a specific region.  You can sign up to receive alerts to your smartphone or computer at www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca.

For Severe weather alerts, check Environment Canada at www.weather.gc.ca or The Weather Network at www.theweathernetwork.com.   You can also sign up to receive weather alerts.

Be Prepared

Check out the Get Prepared Canada website at www.getprepared.gc.ca.  There is lots of information as to what to do before, during and after an emergency.  Or the Alberta Government Emergency Preparedness page www.alberta.ca/emergency-preparedness.aspx 

Develop a Preparedness Plan

Discuss it with your family.  Get everyone involved in making a list of What To Do and What NOT To Do, discuss pick-up points for children, emergency contacts numbers, and how to contact other family.  Plan for special needs your family may have, and for pets. Put a copy of your plan in your emergency kit.

Make your family an Emergency Kit.  Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Make it now, so it is ready if you do need it.  Emergency Kits can also be purchased, but check the contents; you may need to add a few items.  Your kit should be portable such as in a wheeled suitcase.  Store it in a place that is handy and easy to get at in case you need to evacuate. 

Emergency Kit brochure

Other Points to Remember

Power is more likely to go off than gas service.  There are heating units available that do not depend on motors or fans to function, but these must be properly vented and connected to the gas supply in advance.  If you have a wood burning fireplace, have the chimney cleaned annually to avoid build up of creosote.

Never use BBQs, camp stoves, home generators, or camping heating equipment indoors. They pose a serious threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.   Use candle holders when burning candles, and never leave unattended.

If power goes off during high winds or an ice storm, check for fallen wires leading to your home.  Stay back at least 10 meters from any downed power lines. Notify ATCO of downed power lines.  (1-800-668-5506)

Open your fridge or freezer only as absolutely necessary.  In a power outage, a full freezer will keep foods frozen for many hours if the doors stay closed.

If you have a land line phone, keep a corded phone in your home as most cordless phones need power to work.

If the situation determines that you will not be able to keep your house at above- freezing temperature: shut off the power to the house at the circuit box, close gas valves, and unplug major appliances. Turn off the water supply, open all the taps and flush the toilet. Pour some RV antifreeze into all the traps (toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, washing machine, floor drains). Protect the water inlet pipe with insulation or blankets.  Drain the hot water heater and turn off the pilot light.  If your basement is protected by a sump pump, clear valuables from the basement floor in case of flooding.  Contact Utility providers before you turn utilities back on.

If you smell natural gas in your home, leave the lights and appliances alone, leave the building immediately, and call 911.  Do not smoke or light any flames. 

Keep your vehicle ready in case you need to evacuate: Keep your gas tank at least half full; have an emergency travel kit in your vehicle;   Carry a cell phone and keep a charger in your vehicle.

Do not keep phoning the Utility Company for updates. Their staff will be busy handling the emergency. Keep updated by radio or social media.
Once a year, check your Emergency Kit, update your contacts list, replace the food, water, and batteries. 

Call '9-1-1' for fire, police, medical, and natural gas emergencies.