Could you look after yourself and your family for three days if an emergency occurred, no services were available and emergency responders couldn’t get to you?

That’s the question Environment, Labour and Justice Minister Janice Sherry asks Islanders to think about this week during national Emergency Preparedness Week.

“In emergency management, the first level of responsibility lies with the individual,” said Ms. Sherry. “We encourage everyone to take three simple steps to become better prepared to face emergencies: know the risks, make a plan and get an emergency kit.”

Learn how quick and easy it is to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies.

• Know the risks: In Prince Edward Island, each of our seasons brings with it specific hazards, which could include events such as hurricanes, ice storms, forest fires, storm surge and pandemic; as well as ongoing hazards like power outages, industrial accidents and terrorism.

• Make a plan: Emergencies can be stressful. However, if you have a plan, you will be better able to cope. It only takes about 20 minutes and it will help everyone in your family know what to do in case of an emergency.

• Get a kit: Emergency preparedness kits should contain enough water for every person in the household, non-perishable food, a can opener, lists of medications or extra medications if possible, and items for babies, family members with special needs and for pets.

The Office of Public Safety has produced a new booklet entitled Your Emergency Preparedness Guide which can help people create an emergency plan and 72-hour emergency kit. Copies of the booklet can be obtained by calling 894-0385 or online at www.peipublicsafety.ca. The website also has resources for people requiring public safety planning information in languages including Simple Chinese character, Punjabi, Inuktitut and Traditional Chinese character.

Since 1996, federal, provincial and territorial emergency management organizations have been promoting awareness of emergency planning through the annual Emergency Preparedness Week, held during the first full week of May.

The Office of Public Safety is also on Facebook and Twitter @ peipublicsafety.