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Home > Tagged "safety"

Tag: safety

May 27, 2021

Why Everyone Should Have an Emergency Preparedness Kit

It’s always important to be prepared. Whether you’re caught off guard with a natural disaster, or there is an unfortunate accident in your home, you and your family should always have an emergency preparedness kit.
What is an emergency preparedness kit? ​Health Canada​ describes an emergency preparedness kit as a kit that “contains basic supplies that your family can survive on during an emergency”. So far in your life, you may not have experienced an emergency where you cannot easily access basic necessities. But, that’s not a reason to think it won’t ever happen. Whether it is a natural disaster or a mass power outage, emergencies happen across the world every single day, and it is important to be prepared. A kit can include simple things like blankets, a flashlight, bottled water, non-perishable food items, and maybe spare batteries. These kits don’t have to be extravagant, apocalypse-style containers, but having the necessities is always a good idea. Let’s say, there is a massive earthquake, and everyone has to evacuate for three days. There may be mass hysteria, causing people to bombard shopping centres collecting essentials. But, you had an emergency kit, that had some water, blankets, flashlights, and canned food. Instead of joining the chaos, you are able to grab your kit and evacuate quickly. You may be lucky enough to make it to a safe space to sleep, eat, and wait out the emergency without tapping into your prepared kit. But, in case you have to stay in your car, in a tent, or somewhere outside, you will have all of your essentials.

Our Emergency Survival Kits carry all the necessities you and your family need:

It’s easy to think “that’ll never happen to me”, but a year ago it was also easy to think that we would never live through a global pandemic. Planning for the worst-case scenario will make you feel content now, and grateful later.

From now until June 15, 2021, save 30% off select Emergency Kits in our shop!

Written by MWP Staff: Eva Almgren
Photo by Dave Goudreau on Unsplash
January 18, 2021

What Would Happen if a Magnitude 9 Earthquake Hit British Columbia?

The big shakedown. Chances are, if you grew up in BC, you know what we are referring to. Vancouver sits on the fault line of two major tectonic plates, the North American Plate and the Juan de Fuca Plate. Currently, the Juan De Fuca plate is attempting to slide underneath the North American Plate, as it has been for a long time, but when it finally completes its geological quest- it will cause an earthquake larger than any BC resident has seen in centuries.

SOME HISTORY ON THE LAST BIG ONE IN BC

The last time this happened was way back in the 1700s, when the architecture, landscape, and climate of our province looked incredibly different than what we see today. We know this because of First Nation storytelling and due to samples taken off the ocean floor. The oral story passed down by the ​Haida peoples is a tale of loss and devastation, even before modern architecture and concentrated populations. The damage that could be done today is hard to comprehend. Firstly, the structural damage alone would be devastating in an area with high demand for housing, to begin with. The provincial emergency response plan estimates 150 buildings to collapse and another 4000 to be so badly damaged they would need to be demolished, just in the city of Vancouver alone. These falling buildings will take out natural gas lines, electric lines, cell phone towers and bring traffic to a standstill as people start to panic and search for their loved ones with desperation. Older builds in Victoria are much more vulnerable to structural failure because they lack proper earthquake-resistant foundations and the island is closer to the fault line than the mainland.

THE RISK OF A TSUNAMI

Photo by Ryan Pernofski on Unsplash.

We’ve seen it in Japan, we’ve seen it in Indonesia, after every big earthquake there is always a tsunami to be the deadly icing on the destructive cake. Tsunamis are created when a plate shifts underneath the water and can often look like an average wave. But do not be fooled, these death traps move as quick as a jet plane and wreak havoc on already devastated cities. If you are on the coast and an earthquake happens, get to high ground as fast as possible to reduce your chances of being caught in this deadly wave. Those on Vancouver island should be especially vigilant as the wave will hit them first and the hardest. Vancouver’s port is one of the largest on the West Coast. The earthquake, followed by the tsunami and then the ensuing chaos will halt all planes, ships or trains scheduled to deliver goods to many countries across the world, hurting Canada's and more specifically BC’s economy. Seismologists say there is a one in three chance of this earthquake hitting in the next 50-100 years and there has been mounting pressure for the Vancouver government to do more. ​The Insurance Bureau of Canada projects we will need $75 billion dollars to repair the damages. Insurance covers $20 billion of that but $55 billion dollars is still near to what BC makes in one year, this is a staggering burden for the government (​Stelmakowich,2013​).

HOW YOU CAN PREPARE

We cannot control when the earthquake comes, however, we can control how prepared we are for it. Open a dialogue with your family about what you should do during a disaster and choose a meeting spot after the quake stops. Make sure all your work data is backed up on servers outside of the office, to minimize financial losses and most importantly have an emergency kit packed and ready to grab at the drop of a hat. This bag should have enough supplies to sustain your household for 72 hours. Emergency management BC recommends this kit includes 4L of water per person per day, non-perishable food items, a light source, a battery-powered radio, masks, money and hygiene products. 3 person basic emergency kit GetMyKit’s Basic Emergency Survival Kit checks all of those boxes and gives you extra helpful items like an army knife and a flashlight with an attached siren all in a conveniently sized backpack. We offer packs for two-person households up to eight-person households, a one time purchase to ensure your family’s safety for years to come. Alison Bird cautions us to ensure we do not just “see disasters as things that happen to others” because then when the inevitable disaster hits and we cannot just avoid the thought anymore, we do not know how to react. So get as prepared as you can now, it may be uncomfortable to allow the idea to come to life, but you’ll be thankful you did in the long run.  

Sources:

Written by MWP Staff: Isabella Harmel
Top Five Tips to Make Your Vehicle Winter Ready
November 14, 2019

Top 5 Tips to Make Your Vehicle Winter Ready

The summer was lovely. The fall has been nice. (Extra points for everything pumpkin spice flavoured!) Unfortunately, that means winter will be here before we know it. Depending on where you live, it could mean minimal snow, but rain that causes slush along with lots of ice or massive amounts of snow and having to dig your car out of your driveway every morning, before a commute to the office. Whichever your situation, here are our top five tips to make sure you and your car are prepared this winter!

1) Put on Snow Tires or Chains

This one may seem obvious but “in 2010, over 1,400 accidents cited weather conditions among factors. In addition, in almost 3,500 accidents, loose snow or slush was present.” Having snow tires or chains on your car truly does lessen your chances of getting into an accident. In some parts of British Columbia, not using snow tires can result in a fine of up to $109. This map below shows you where and the dates for when BC highways are designated winter tire/chain routes.

Winter Tire Map BC 

2) Check Anti-freeze & Jumper Cables

With the colder weather coming in, it's important to remember to top-up or change the anti-freeze in your car. It keeps the water in your car radiator from freezing and “[t]here are also anti-corrosive properties in the coolant that protect metal pieces in the engine from corroding.” Make sure your car is all filled up, you don’t need engine troubles!Jumper Cables On top of anti-freeze, no vehicle should be without a set of Jumper Cables. This is true year-round but, especially during the winter months. Spare yourself from having to wait in the cold for someone to come by and help or paying a fee for calling a company. We have 8 foot, 8 gauge jumper cables, so you don’t get caught without. They may even come in handy not just for you, but for someone else who needs your help!

3) Have Good Windshield Wipers & Window Scraper

One of the easiest ways to ensure your safety, whilst driving in winter conditions is to make sure you can clearly see where you're going. This is why you should always make sure you carry extra windshield washer fluid and a window scraper with you. Or if your windshield wipers are very old, consider replacing them. It will make it much easier for you to keep the frost and snow from blocking your view of the road, other drivers and pedestrians.

4) Carry a Small Shovel or Cat Litter

Keeping a small shovel and a bag of cat litter in your car can be a real lifesaver. Particularly in provinces that have more snow. The shovel allows you to dig your car out if you get stuck in deep snow. Cat litter is also great to put down, as it can be used as salt to provide traction if the ground is too slippery, causing your tires to spin.

5) Have a Vehicle Survival Kit

Our Vehicle Survival Kit is a must-have for anyone with a vehicle anytime of the year, but it’s even more valuable to your safety during the winter. With 28 items included in the kit, we’ve covered all the bases.

VEHICLE SURVIVAL KIT

From a 3,600 calorie food ration, 6 water rations, right down to a 2 pack of toilet paper. It’s all in one bag, making it easy to store and access when you need it. For more of an in-depth look at our Vehicle Survival Kit or to purchase one, go to our online store. Along with all the other tips, if you have one of these, you will be ready for just about anything! 

   

Now that you have read our top 5 tips to have your vehicle winter-ready this season, and you are correctly prepared, you’ll be able to handle whatever the weather throws at you.  Stay safe this winter!

  Sources:
April 10, 2018

Vehicle & Roadside Safety

General preparedness is critical for all situations, however one that is often overlooked is vehicle safety and preparedness. Many vehicle emergencies or road side issues are ones that are easily preventable with pre-planning and preparation. All levels of government recommend carrying a survival kit in all vehicles. A few tips to help you get prepared!

 Repairing your vehicle prior to a trip:

  • Do a vehicle walk around and underneath to see if there is anything that looks out of place, damaged, or hanging down improperly.
  • Schedule a checkup before leaving for a trip.
  • Ensure there is enough supplies for all persons in the vehicle in case you break down in a remote location, in extreme weather, or late at night.
  • Keep fuel topped up, check tire pressure and fluid levels - consider bringing fluids along for extending trips.
  • Actively check the weather forecast and ensure your vehicle meets or surpasses weather requirements.
  • Inform a friend or family member aware of your route and check in often. If something happens and they do not hear from you, they will know your last check point and better predict where you might be if stranded.

Daily Vehicle Use:

  • Make a habit to keep fuel levels half a tank or higher start considering half a tank your new “empty”.
  • Carry snacks, spare clothing and water bottles in your vehicle we have assembled our Vehicle Survival Kits to include important items such as: car fuses, high-visibility vest, rain poncho, multi-function army knife, multi-bit screw driver, reflective triangle, food + water rations, emergency blanket, sanitary items, first aid, candles & matches,  among many other items.  Our kit will ensure you are prepared for all road side emergency situations.

Long Period Vehicle Storing:

  • Remove wiper blades and store in vehicle to avoid weathering damage.
  • Get an oil change and top up all fluids- including break, wiper fluid, anti-freeze, etc.
  • Periodically start the vehicle and let it run for at least ten minutes.
  • Thoroughly wash the exterior of your vehicle to remove any harsh contaminates, detail interior and remove all garbage.
  • Using a car cover, pop up shed or a tarp to keep harsh weather conditions from effecting your vehicle.
If you need to pull over to the side of the road, always use your flashing hazard lights, wear reflective or high-visibility clothing when walking around or exciting the vehicle. Be sure to check out one of our retailers to get your vehicle kit, or shop online today!
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