Personal Preparedness

• Environmental Health - People with disabilities or medical conditions
• Nova Scotia Disabled Persons Commission - Nova Scotia’s Guide to Disaster Preparedness: Tips for Persons with Disabilities - Tips for Frail or Older Seniors
  

Most households will at some time face a power outage as a result of a snowstorm, ice storm, natural disaster or flooding. These emergencies may create a problem with food safety.

When the electricity to your refrigerator or freezer is interrupted for an extended period of time, the safety of foods in them becomes a concern.

For more information on what to do with your food during a power outage, please visit:

• Environmental Health - Food Safety information page
• Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture - Food Safety web page
  

Water may not be safe to drink, bathe in or clean with after a hurricane, flood or other disaster. During a disaster, water can become contaminated with bacteria, chemicals or other substances that can cause illness.

Listen to and follow public announcements. Local authorities will tell you if tap water is safe to drink or to use for cooking or bathing. If the water is not safe to use, you will be told to use bottled water or to boil or disinfect water for cooking and cleaning.

For more information, including what to do during a boil water advisory, please visit:

• Environmental Health - Drinking Water Safety information page
• Nova Scotia Department of Environment - Drinking Water web page

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a health promotion tool designed to help people make informed decisions regarding short-term exposure and activity levels during increased levels of air pollution.

The index provides local air quality and health risk information on an hourly basis. It is especially helpful to seniors, children, those with heart and lung disease, and people who are physically active outdoors.

For more information on Air Quality, visit:

• Environmental Health - Air Quality Health Index
• Public Health Agency of Canada - Climate change, air contaminants, and your health

Bad weather can hit at any time - and without time for you to prepare. The time to get ready for a natural disaster or the storm of the decade is now. We're hoping you'll find the following information helpful.

For more information on Air Quality, visit:

• Environmental Health - Emergencies and Extreme Weather Events
• Department of Natural Resources - Wild Fires
• Government of Canada - Get Prepared - Floods
• Government of Canada - Get Prepared - Hurricanes
• Government of Canada - Get Prepared - Severe Storms