Time change is a great reminder to ensure your emergency supply kit is ready for any emergency for 72 hours and beyond

Don’t fall behind on emergency preparedness when the clocks change this weekend. 

Oxford County’s Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks campaign reminds everyone to refresh their emergency supplies before disaster strikes. The coming months can bring unpredictable emergencies, including ice storms and power outages.

Think beyond the traditional 72-hour rule when preparing an emergency preparedness kit for you and your loved ones. While 72 hours is a good starting point, consider it a minimum requirement. Assess the special needs of your family, including medications and food allergies, your location's remoteness, and the vulnerability of those around as first responders may need to assist others before you.

Ensure your kit has enough food, water, and supplies for at least three days. Regularly check for missing essentials, toss out expired items and update your first aid supplies. Also, account for any new family members or pets and keep important documents like identification and emergency contacts up to date.

Use the time change as a reminder to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. As a reminder, old batteries should not go in your curbside garbage: recycle old or leaky batteries for free at Oxford County Waste Management Facility or Woodstock’s EnviroDepot.

If you haven’t created an emergency kit, now is the time to create one. Find the emergency supplies checklist by visiting www.oxford72hours.ca.