Toronto Hydro wants you to give the gift of emergency preparedness this holiday season
Flashlights, radios and other items make great gifts that can be used during emergencies, such as power outages
TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2018 /CNW/ - As we approach the fifth anniversary of the 2013 ice storm, we're encouraging our customers to consider gifting loved ones with emergency kit essentials.
While power outages are usually short and don't happen often, the ice storm knocked out power to approximately 300,000 Toronto Hydro customers on December 22, 2013 and the event lasted for 13 days.
That's why this year is the perfect time to help loved ones prepare for unexpected events by giving emergency essentials such as flashlights, radios, extra batteries and rechargeable power banks for devices. They make great stocking stuffers and can fit any budget. If you're looking for bigger ticket items, consider purchasing first aid kits, crank radios, battery-operated lanterns, or ready-made, 72-hour emergency kits.
We have a list of all the must-have items to keep your friends and family comfortable through an extended outage at torontohydro.com/beprepared. We also have emergency preparedness guides available in Chinese, Spanish, Somali, Tamil and Urdu.
Emergency kit essentials include:
- Bottled water - 4 litres of water per person, per day
- Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
- First aid kit with bandages and alcohol wipes
- Cooler bag and ice packs to keep medications cold
- Cash on hand in case ATMs don't work
- Flashlights and fresh batteries
- Wind-up or battery-operated radio
- Don't forget your pets! Have identification on your animals and enough pet food and water in your emergency kit for at least three days
Kits should have enough supplies to last for 72 hours and should be customized for families including aging parents and young children.
QUICK FACTS
- The 2013 ice storm impacted almost 60% of Toronto Hydro's customer base
- In 2018, five extreme weather events left approximately 175,000 Toronto Hydro customers without power
- A Toronto Hydro survey conducted in 2017 found that just 9% of customers have emergency kits
- Never use barbecues, propane heaters or portable generators indoors or in enclosed spaces such as garages, covered porches or sheds – they generate carbon monoxide gas, which can be fatal
QUOTES
"It can be hard to find unique gifts for friends and family during the holidays. But emergency kit essentials are practical, and not something people often buy for themselves. Show your loved ones you care this year by getting them ready for emergencies, such as power outages. "
- Christina Basil, Media Relations Specialist, Toronto Hydro
ABOUT TORONTO HYDRO
Toronto Hydro owns and operates the electricity distribution system for Canada's largest city. A leader in conservation and demand management, it has 770,000 customers located in the city of Toronto and distributes approximately 19% of the electricity consumed in Ontario.
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SOURCE Toronto Hydro Corporation
Christina Basil, Communications and Public Relations, 416-902-9437, [email protected]; 24-hour media line: 416-903-6845, [email protected]
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