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Are youprepared for an Our new stores. emergency?Disasters can strike at any time, More reasons to come visit us.as recent events have clearly shown.And they can happen anywhere, as evidenced by a tornado watch just last month for parts of Ontario.With that in mind, the Canadian Red Cross is using Emergency Preparedness Week (May 1 to 7) to remind families of the importance of being prepared for potential emer-gencies.The best way to do that is by building an emergency preparedness kit.Everyone has the power to help themselves and their families to minimize the effect of a disaster by preparing a disaster kit, said Azima Vadsaria, disaster management co-ordinator for the Red Cross in Halton.The Red Cross recommends that everyone prepare to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours following a disaster, and that ideally families should prepare two kits one in which they could be trapped in their home and another that can be easily transportable in the event of an evacuation.Said Vadsaria, If there is a disas-ter in the middle of the night, such as a house fire, you wont have time to collect any belongings. Having a ready-to-go kit containing essential documents, medication, cash and other items can ensure the health and safety of your family during a stressful time.The Red Cross offers the follow-ing checklist for a home disaster kit: flashlight and batteries radio and batteries (on a wind-up radio) toilet paper and personal sup-plies important papers, such as ID, and cash canned food (replace once a year), bottled water and a manual can opener one change of clothing and shoes blankets or sleeping bags extra car keys a whistle to attract attention first-aid kit medicationThe Red Cross provides prepared-905 842 2140 | oakvilleplace.com ness workshops throughout the year. To learn more about disaster pre-Join us on facebook at facebook.com/OakvillePlaceparedness, visit www.redcross.ca/ready.15 Wednesday, May 4, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.insideHALTON.com