General instructions usually apply to a good number of emergencies, but all situations aren’t all identical. The following tips can also be applied during an emergency situation. Also, read sections concerning specific disasters.

• Try to stay calm
• Verify if you have been injured or if others are. Give first-aid to injured or trapped people. Take care of situation where lives are in danger first. Ask for help if necessary.
• Verify if neighbors are doing well, especially elderly or people with handicaps.
• Confine or secure pets.
• Using the battery radio in your emergency kit, listen to the information and provided instructions.
• Don’t use the phone, except to signal an injury that could be lethal. Free the lines for emergency services.
• If possible, put on robust shoes and protection clothes to avoid getting injured by debris, especially broken glass.
• If you are inside, check if the building structure got damaged. If you suspect it is the case, get out and don’t get back in.
• Do not turn on a light or matches until you are positive that there is no gas leaks or flammable product spilling. Use a flashlight to check utilities.
• Do not shut off utilities unless they are damaged or leaked ((a gas leak smells like rotten eggs) or if there is a fire. If you turn the gas off, don’t turn it back on. That must be done by a competent technician.

If tap water is available, fill up a bathtub or containers in case the supply gets cut off.

If there is no more tap water, remember that you can supply yourself from the hot water tank, toilet reservoir or in ice cube trays.

• Water provisions can get contaminated : purify your water.
• Do not flush the toilet if you believe it is possible that some sewer lines got broken.
• If you are in a multi-story building, do not use the elevator in case in general power outage.
• If you are in an elevator, press all the buttons for every floor to get out as soon as possible.
• Go pick up your kids at schools or at the planned location.
• Stay away from areas damaged areas unless you are asked to help or if you have the competences to do so.
• Do not approach loose or dangling electric lines. Lines on the ground could start fires and they carry enough energy to cause injuries. Signal them, along with all broken sewers and waters mains to the authorities.
• If power supply has been cut during several hours, check out the food in the refrigerator and freezer in case it has spoiled.