Emergency Preparedness

Cyberattacks and cyber safety

What is a cyberattack?

A cyberattack is a malicious, deliberate attempt to breach a digital information system and gain information from a business or individual. This can include email or internet fraud, identity fraud or theft of finances.

What are the threats?

• Phishing: The practice of sending fraudulent emails that resemble emails from reputable sources, aimed at stealing sensitive data
• Malware: Malicious software designed to disrupt, damage or gain unauthorized access to a computer system
  • Ransomware: A type of malware designed to extort money by blocking access to your computer system until ransom is paid

• Social engineering: A tactic used to trick people into revealing sensitive information

How can you protect yourself from a cyberattack?

• Be cautious when you receive messages asking for personal information

• When possible, verify any requests for personal information

• Remember that most legitimate organizations will not ask for personal information through text message or email

• Call your bank to verify any messages received requesting personal information or for you to take action by clicking a link
• Create a unique password for every account and change them frequently
• Do not use any personal information such as your birthday in your passwords
• Limit the amount of personal information you share online
• Secure all your devices (cell phone, laptop, tablet) with a password and multi-factor identification, in case your device or log-in information gets lost or stolen
• Watch out for unknown emails or webpages — interacting with unknown sources can put your information at risk and download viruses on to your device

Drought preparedness

A drought is a period of unusually dry weather that lasts long enough to produce a serious water shortage, otherwise known as a hydrologic imbalance. This can lead to issues like crop damage and poor water quality.

Water conservation restrictions may be put in place during a drought. These may include actions like:

• Watering lawns and washing cars on odd or even days of the week, at night or on weekends.
• Limiting or prohibiting water use or require hand-watering instead of sprinkler systems that use large amounts of water.

While watching our water use is especially important during droughts, below are a few tips on how to conserve water year-round:

• Never pour water down the drain when it could have other uses, such as watering your plants.
• Take shorter showers and don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving.
• Only operate dishwashers and washing machines when there is a full load or use the light wash feature.
• When buying new appliances consider more energy/water efficient options.
• If washing your car use a shut off nozzle on your hose so that water only flows when in use and turn off the faucet when you are done.
• Avoid overwatering your lawn. It only needs to be watered every 5 to 7 days in the summer and 10 to 14 days in the winter.
• Make sure to cover pools and spas when not in use to avoid evaporation.

Flooding

Floods are most often caused by heavy rain, melting snow or high lake levels. They can happen at any time of year, in any area. Here are some tips to help protect your home and family during flooding.

Inside your home

• Store any personal belongings in sealed bins
• Move keepsakes out of the basement
• Test sump pumps regularly and install a backup system (generator)

Outside your home

• Remove anything that could cause danger during the flood
• Secure outdoor furniture
• Maintain water drainage system

View an infographic: How to protect your home from flooding

If you are not instructed to evacuate during a flood, consider these safety precautions:

• Avoid travelling on roads near water
• Don’t drive or walk through moving water
• Keep kids and pets away from floodwater

Flu and pandemic

The flu is a contagious virus that anyone can get, but there are several things you can do to avoid catching it or spreading it to others:

• Get your flu shot
• Wash your hands
• Cover your mouth when you cough
• Don’t touch your face
• Stay at home if you are sick
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and shared items

Forest fires

Forest fires can be dangerous to people and property. Being ready in advance and knowing what actions to take can help to better protect you.

If you are indoors

• Move away from outside walls
• Close doors but leave them unlocked
• Close windows, vents, and blinds
• Remove lightweight curtains
• Turn off air conditioning
• Keep all family members and pets together
• Have a flashlight and extra batteries in case the power goes out

If you are told to leave your home

• Choose a route away from fire hazards
• Watch for changes in speed and direction of fire and smoke
• Wear long sleeves, pants and closed toed shoes to protect you again sparks and ashes
• Take your pets with you
• Tell someone when you leave and where you are going

Hazardous spills

Here are the seven steps to respond to hazardous spills:

1. Identify the substance and determine the risk
2. Protect yourself
3. Stop the spill
4. Contain the spill
5. Minimize the risk
6. Clean up the spill
7. Decontaminate

Heat-related illnesses

Summer is the season of extreme heat weather events. Hot weather can be a risk to health for everyone, but children and seniors are often more vulnerable. Extreme heat can put you at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Make sure you know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

Signs of heat exhaustion

• Heavy sweating
• Cold, pale, clammy skin
• Dizziness
• Weakness or fatigue
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting

Signs of heat stroke

• Confusion or altered mental state
• Body temperature over 104°F (40°C)
• Hot, dry, flushed skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid pulse
• Quick, shallow breathing
• Headache

What to do if someone is suffering from heat exhaustion

• Rest in a cool place
• Sit or lie down
• Drink cool fluids
• Soak in a cool bath, take a cold shower or put towels soaked in cool water on your skin
• Loosen clothing

What to do if someone is suffering from heat stroke

• Call 911 and stay with the person until help arrives
• Move out of the heat immediately
• Cover the person with cool wet cloths or soak in a cool bath

Protect yourself and prevent heat-related illnesses

• Try to stay indoors to limit sun exposure

• Stay hydrated and drink water, even if not thirsty

• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing

• Stay out of direct sunlight

• Use sunscreen and lip balm with SPF of at least 15 — apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside

• Wear ultraviolet- (UV) absorbent eyewear (sunglasses, shades, etc.)

• Wear a hat or use screens or umbrellas to create shaded areas

• Use fans and air conditioning

• Never leave anyone in a parked car

• Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day

• Be cautious if you are in an increased risk group

• Take cool showers or baths
• Stay on lower floors if you do not have air conditioning

Learn more

View the infographics below to learn more:

• Irreversible Extreme Heat: Protecting Canadians and Communities from a Lethal Future
• Protecting your home from extreme heat
• Protecting your apartment from extreme heat

House fire

To keep everyone safe, it is important that everyone knows what to do and where to go when the smoke alarm sounds. Take some time to make a home fire escape plan with your family.

1. Draw a floor plan of your home – include every level
2. Include all possible emergency exits – draw all doors, windows, and stairways
3. Show two ways out of every room, if possible – the door will be the main exit from each room but if it is blocked by fire or smoke, you will need to choose another option, such as a window
4. Identify anyone who needs help to escape – decide in advance who will be the one to help the young children or the older adults in the household
5. Choose a meeting place outside that is a safe distance from your home and that everyone will remember
6. Call the fire department once you are outside of your home. Don’t waste valuable seconds calling 911 from inside – make sure that your family is out safely and call from a cellphone or a neighbour’s phone
7. Practice the escape – walk through the escape routes so everyone is familiar with them

Learn more

Infographic: Protect your home from fires

Power outages

Power outages can occur during severe weather including winter storms, high winds, thunderstorms, and heat waves. These outages can be over just as quickly as they happen, but others can last much longer — up to days or even weeks. During an outage, you may be left without power or heat, which can pose serious challenges. Make sure you take the time to prepare for a power outage with three basic steps:

1. Find out what to do before, during and after a power outage.
2. Make an emergency plan for yourself or your family, so everyone knows what to do or where to go in case of a power outage.
3. Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit to ensure you can be self-sufficient for three days without power.

Snowstorms, ice and extreme cold

Snowstorms, ice and extreme cold in the winter can pose a risk when precautions are not taken. Take the following tips into consideration during winter:

• Stay dry – Avoid wearing wet clothing in extreme cold. You are more likely to develop hypothermia if you are cold and wet.
• Take care when outdoors - Check the weather before heading out for the day. Warm up by taking breaks in areas such as malls or libraries.
• Take care while walking on ice – Take your time while waking in icy conditions. Many winter injuries come from slips and falls on ice-covered surfaces. Make sure steps and walkways are clear of ice and snow.
• Travel cautiously - Avoid travelling in low visibility or ice-covered roads. Make sure your vehicle is cleared of all snow and ice so you can clear visibility. For more information, read our winter driving tips below.

Thunderstorms 

It is important not to underestimate the power of thunderstorms, as they can carry the risk of:

• Lightning strikes
• Hail
• Flash floods
• High winds and potential for tornadoes

Preparing for a storm

• Trim branches and cut down unstable trees
• Keep gutters and drains clear
• Keep your roof in good repair
• Have an emergency kit ready ahead of time

During a storm 

When thunder roars, stay indoors!

If you are indoors

• Stay away from glass doors, windows or skylights — strong winds can shatter them
• Avoid running water in your house or taking showers and baths during a storm, as lightning can enter through pipes
• Unplug appliances and TVs 
• Use a battery-powered radio to listen for weather updates
• Try to stay indoors during a storm and 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder before going outside

If you are outdoors

• If you hear thunder, that means the lightning is close enough to be dangerous — try to find shelter in a building or vehicle
• Avoid water, high ground, isolated trees and power lines
• If there is no shelter close by, go to a low-lying area away from tall trees

Windstorms and tornados

Ontario averages around 12 tornadoes a year, usually between May and September. A tornado is a powerful rotating column of wind that can hurt people and damage property. Large thunderstorms can create many tornadoes. They can appear after a heavy rain or hail, in the sky that is green, yellow or black. Environment Canada will issue a warning when tornados are looming or already detected.

Safety tips for windstorms or tornadoes

• Be aware of weather conditions and warnings
• Seek shelter immediately if a warning has been issued

If you are indoors during a tornado

• Go to an underground shelter, basement or safe room
• If you do not have basement, go to the centre of an interior room on the lowest level of your home, away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Have as many walls as possible between you and the outdoors.
• Get under a sturdy piece of furniture
• Do not open windows

If you are outdoors during a tornado

• Get inside before you see the tornado⁠ — do not wait until you see it
• If you cannot get inside, lay flat in a ditch and cover your head with your hands
• Do not go under an overpass or bridge – a low, flat area is safer

Winter driving preparedness

Be prepared and stay safe while driving in winter weather:

• Use winter tires for better traction in snow, slush and icy conditions
• Check air tire pressure frequently, as it decreases in cold weather
• Make sure to have a car survival emergency kit in your car
• Keep these tips in mind if your car gets stuck in snow:
  • Avoid spinning your tires
  • Keep the wheels straight
  • Dig out snow from around your tires
  • Carefully rock you car
  • Use floor mats to gain traction
• For more tips on how to drive safely in winter weather and for information about our winter road operations, visit our Snow Plowing page.