The numbers are hard to ignore

A national survey released during Emergency Preparedness Week found that only 28 per cent of Canadians have an emergency kit, and fewer than 40 per cent feel prepared for a weather-related emergency at all. According to the REMI Network, which covered the survey, only one in three Canadians even knows their local evacuation routes.

Those are surprisingly low numbers given how many major weather events we've seen across the country in recent years.

What people actually grab when they have to leave

The survey asked Canadians what they'd take during an evacuation. Pets, phones, and wallets came out on top. Emergency kits, food, and first aid supplies were much further down the list.

Honestly, that makes sense. When things move fast, people reach for what feels most essential in the moment. A charged phone really has become the first line of response for most people. But a phone only helps if you already know who to call and what to do.

The gap between awareness and action

Two-thirds of survey respondents said they feel governments could be doing more to prepare for disasters, and less than half feel confident in their local emergency response. That's a significant trust gap.

What it really points to is that individuals and households need to close this gap themselves, rather than waiting for systems to catch up.

A few things worth doing this week

Emergency Preparedness Week runs May 3 through 9, which makes it a useful moment to actually take action on this stuff rather than just nod along.

Here are some basic steps worth taking:

- **Put together a simple kit.** Water, a few days of non-perishables, a flashlight, a first aid kit, copies of important documents. Nothing elaborate. - **Know your evacuation route.** Look it up for your neighbourhood. Know more than one option in case roads are blocked. - **Have a contact plan.** Who does your household reach first in an emergency? Does everyone know that answer? - **Check your insurance.** Know what your home or tenant policy covers for flood, fire, and displacement. If you're unsure, it's worth a conversation with your insurer before something happens.

For landlords and property owners specifically, the survey highlights something worth taking seriously. Tenants who have clear information about what to do in an emergency, and who to contact, are far better positioned to respond well. A simple email or posted notice covering evacuation procedures and emergency contacts is a small effort that can matter a lot in a crisis.

First Onsite Property Restoration, who commissioned the survey, put it well: the steps taken before a catastrophic event define the recovery. That's true whether you own one property or ten.

The takeaway

You don't need to overhaul your life to be meaningfully better prepared. A basic kit, a known route, and a clear household plan puts you ahead of roughly 60 to 70 per cent of Canadians. That's a low bar worth clearing.