How to prepare for a disaster

Disaster preparedness

If a major disaster occurs in Laval, you must be prepared to either stay at home—potentially without electricity or water—or leave your home quickly. 

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Grab-and-go bag (In French)

Preparing : your responsability

Did you know that the Civil Security Act, which aims to enhance disaster resilience (CSARS), states that all citizens are primarily responsible for their own safety and the protection of their property? In the event of a major emergency, you must be prepared and self-sufficient. Depending on the situation, you may be required to: 

  • Leave your home immediately 
  • Stay at home, possibly without drinking water or electricity 

In case of a disaster, emergency teams have two main priorities: 

  1. Securing the disaster site 
  2. Rescuing the most vulnerable individuals 

You are therefore responsible for ensuring you can meet your needs for at least 72 hours by having: 

  1. A family emergency plan 
  2. All the necessary items to cover your basic needs for 72+ hours 
  3. A grab-and-go bag containing essential items in case of evacuation 

This is what Laval calls the Autonomy 72h+ program! 

Family emergency plan

In an emergency, chaos and confusion can arise quickly. It is essential to prepare your family emergency plan ahead of time. This plan should include: 

  • Main risks in your region 
  • A list of emergency contacts 
  • The location of shut-off valves (gas, water, electrical panel, floor drain) 
  • A home evacuation plan in case of fire 
  • Insurance information 

Prepare Your Plan Now!

Use this ready-to-use tool, prepared for you.

Download file Family emergency plan (In French) (format PDF, size 753.23 KB)

Print a copy of your family emergency plan and add it to your grab-and-go bag.

Regularly update your family emergency plan and test it once a year with all household members.

How to ensure your self-sufficiency for 72 hours

Make sure you always have essential items at home to meet your basic needs for at least 72 hours.

  • Drinking water (2 liters per person per day) 
  • Additional water for food preparation and hygiene (2 liters per person per day) 
  • Sufficient non-perishable food 
  • Manual can opener 
  • Flashlight and spare batteries 
  • Portable charger 
  • Backup heating device 
  • Hand-crank radio 
  • First aid kit 
  • Candles and lighter/matches (place candles in sturdy, deep containers and never leave them unattended) 
  • Photocopies of identification documents 
  • Sufficient medication 
  • Family emergency plan 
  • Assistive devices or specialized equipment if needed 
  • If you have a baby at home: 
    • Instant formula 
    • Disposable diapers 
    • Bottles
    • Medication 
  • If you have a pet at home: 
    • Food
    • Medication 

Don't forget!

Place your items in an easily accessible location and inform the whole family. Replace items that may expire, such as food, water, batteries, and medication, at least once a year.

The grab-and-go bag

If you need to leave your home quickly, make sure you have all necessary items within reach. Gather everything in an easy-to-carry bag stored in a place known to all household members. 

  • A paper copy of your family emergency plan 
  • Cash 
  • Water bottle and non-perishable snacks 
  • Copies of identification and important documents (e.g., passport, birth certificate, insurance policies) 
  • Spare keys 
  • Essential medications and medical devices (e.g., glucose meter, hearing aids) 
  • Prescriptions for medications and glasses 
  • Portable charger 
  • Change of clothes 
  • Hygiene products (e.g., feminine hygiene products, toothbrush) 
  • Essential items for you and your family (e.g., glasses, dentures, baby supplies, incontinence pads) 

Good to Know

  • Choose an easy-to-carry bag, such as a backpack.
  • The grab-and-go bag should be stored in an accessible location known to the whole family.
  • Each family member should have their own grab-and-go bag.
  • For everyday essentials (wallet, cellphone, ID), make sure you can quickly retrieve them in case of an evacuation.

Emergency Lockdown

The term “Lockdown” was widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic, but here it refers to a more strict and short-term measure requiring additional steps to stay safe in dangerous situations, such as: 

  • Extreme weather conditions (tornado, high winds, etc.) 
  • Hazardous materials incident (gas leak, etc.) 
  • Explosion risk 
  • Earthquake 
  • Presence of an armed individual or public safety threat 

In Laval, some industries work with hazardous materials. What should you do to stay safe in case of an accident?

What to Do in Case of an Emergency Evacuation?

An evacuation may be ordered when an imminent danger directly threatens the occupants of a location, such as a fire or a flood. The goal is to leave the premises quickly to reach safety.

If authorities order an evacuation:

  • Take the essentials: documents, personal belongings, medications, and a grab-and-go-bag.
  • If instructed, turn off water, electricity, and gas.
  • Lock your home before leaving.
  • Head to a shelter location designated in your family emergency plan.
  • Follow the designated route to the emergency shelter, if applicable.
  • Arrange shelter for your pets if necessary.
  • Report your shelter location by calling 311 (or 450 978-8000 if outside Laval).
  • Wait for authorization before returning home.

Winter emergency car kit

  • Compact shovel 
  • Ice scraper and snow brush 
  • Sand or salt bag 
  • Jumper cables 
  • Hand-crank flashlight or spare batteries 
  • Safety flag and flares 
  • Carbon monoxide detector 
  • Whistle (to attract attention if needed) 
  • Extreme cold windshield washer fluid 
  • Small toolkit (screwdriver, pliers, etc.) 
  • Waste bag 
  • Traction mats 
  • Tow rope 
  • Fire extinguisher 
  • Fuel line antifreeze 
  • Blanket 
  • Warm spare clothes (hat, scarf, gloves, boots, socks) 
  • Hand and foot warmers 
  • Non-perishable snacks (e.g., energy bars) 
  • Bottled water 
  • First aid kit 
  • Seatbelt cutter and window breaker (keep in glove compartment or attached to keychain) 
  • Phone charger
  • Updated road maps  

Reminder: 

  • Regularly check and update your car kit, especially before winter. 
  • Keep lock de-icer at home.
  • Check road conditions before traveling (Québec 511).
  • If roads are unsafe, travel only if necessary.

For pets

These steps will help ensure your pet’s safety during an emergency evacuation: 

  • Identify your pet with a collar and tag
  • Ensure your pet is microchipped, as per municipal regulations 
  • Gather essential items for your pet, including: 
    • Carrier 
    • Leash and harness 
    • Food and water for at least 72 hours 
    • Bowls and can opener 
    • Newspapers, toilet paper, waste bags, litter 
    • Medication and veterinary records 
    • First aid kit 
    • Blanket and toy 

If you are staying in a shelter provided by the City, you must check whether pets are allowed and the conditions for their admission. 

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