Preparing for and responding to hazards such as wildfires, floods, landslides, earthquakes and severe weather requires special consideration of seniors’ needs.
When creating your emergency plan, consider the types of hazards most likely to impact your community. Seniors who live alone or are sick or disabled will need special support and an emergency plan.
If the police or RCMP order you to evacuate your home or community, leave the area immediately. You are at risk.
Follow all instructions from local officials. Do not return home until emergency authorities say it is safe to do so.
Create an emergency plan that includes a trusted support network of at least 3 people to assist you during an emergency. These could be relatives, friends, roommates or neighbours. Include their contact information in your plan. Give them keys to your home and a copy of your emergency plan.
Tell your support network about any health conditions or medications. Show them how to use specialized medical mobility equipment such as lifts, wheelchairs or scooters.
Arrange for your support network to check on you during or immediately after a disaster.
In case of a power outage, keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio so you can hear news and learn about community evacuation plans. A home phone that does not require electricity is also recommended.
Plan ahead and think about your personal needs. Prepare a grab-and-go bag in case you need to leave your home quickly.
If you have pets, have a plan to transport and care for them during an emergency. For more information, visit www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety‑and‑emergency‑services/emergency‑preparedness‑response‑recovery/embc/preparedbc/preparedbc‑guides/preparedbc_prepare_your_pets (PDF, 1.08MB).
For more information on emergency preparedness, visit:
Call toll-free in B.C., 8-1-1, or 7-1-1 for the deaf and hard of hearing to get personalized assistance. Speak to a navigator who can guide you to reliable health information or connect you with a health professional. Translation services are available in over 130 languages.
