Canada’s 3-day emergency preparedness advice sparked suspicion and questions online. Here’s why

A reminder from Ottawa that Canadians should be prepared to go at least three days without running water or electricity is sparking plenty of attention online. But before you start filling your shopping cart with emergency supplies, there’s something important to know.

The recommendation isn’t new, and the federal government isn’t ordering Canadians to stockpile food and water.

Public Safety Canada says the 72-hour benchmark has been part of its emergency preparedness guidance for years. Archived government materials referencing the recommendation date back to at least 2012.

“There is no government policy requiring Canadians to have 72 hours’ worth of supplies,” a Public Safety Canada spokesperson wrote in a statement to Yahoo News Canada.

Warnings about being prepared for emergencies have been popping up across Europe, with countries including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Belgium urging people to think about how they would manage disruptions to essentials like power, water and communications.

The warnings come as supermarkets in eight European countries, including France, Belgium, Sweden and the Netherlands, have been hit by cyberattacks targeting refrigeration systems.

The attacks caused temperatures in fridges and freezers to rise, leaving some retailers forced to throw out food, according to reports.

READ MORE: Supermarket freezers in several European countries hit by apparent cyberattacks

But what does being prepared actually look like in Canada? And what should you have on hand if the lights go out, the taps stop running or you’re suddenly told to leave home?

Melanie Soler, vice-president of emergency management at the Canadian Red Cross, says the added attention is welcome.

“Disasters can strike at any time in Canada,” she told Yahoo News Canada in an interview.

“For us, this added layer of profile is actually very welcomed. It’s a great piece of information for Canadians to be aware of and also dig down deeper to see what that means for them.”

What is the 72-hour recommendation meant to prepare Canadians for?

The advice isn’t tied to one particular threat, Solar said.

Rather, it’s intended to give households a buffer during the initial stages of an emergency, when access to essential services could be disrupted and emergency crews may need time to respond.

That could mean anything from severe weather, flooding and wildfires to earthquakes, ice storms, extended power outages or disruptions to critical infrastructure.

“We used to think about emergency season as being a summertime hazard season in Canada with floods and fires,” Soler said. “Of course, we also see ice storms.”

She also pointed to cyber impacts on critical infrastructure, highlighting how disruptions can extend beyond the kinds of natural disasters Canadians traditionally associate with emergency preparedness.

Is 72 hours enough? Some Canadians should prepare for longer

For people living in urban centres, the 72-hour recommendation is a useful starting point. But Soler says geography can make a major difference in how long households might need to rely on their own supplies.

People living in rural, remote and northern communities may experience longer disruptions, particularly when emergency crews have difficulty reaching isolated areas.

“The 72 hours is a great baseline, especially for people living in urban centres,” she said.

In more remote or underserved communities, Soler recommends considering supplies that could last seven to 10 days, with some households planning for as long as 14 days.

That’s because restoring electricity or getting emergency personnel into isolated areas can take considerably longer.

The broader message is that preparedness shouldn’t be treated as a one-size-fits-all checklist. Canadians need to consider where they live, the risks in their community and the needs of everyone in their household.

What should you actually keep in an emergency kit?

The Canadian Red Cross recommends that households start by identifying their local risks, making an emergency plan and building or buying a kit.

Water is one of the most important supplies. The recommended guideline can be up to four litres per person per day, covering drinking, cooking and basic hygiene.

For one person, that’s as much as 12 litres for three days. A household of two would need up to 24 litres.

Other supplies to include are:

• Non-perishable food that requires little preparation.

• Cash, in case electronic payment systems are unavailable.

• Copies of important documents, including identification, insurance information and prescriptions.

• A portable radio to receive emergency information if internet or cellphone services are disrupted.

• Essential medications and personal supplies.

Soler also recommends keeping a grab-and-go kit ready in case an evacuation order is issued.

The easy-to-forget items that could make a big difference

Food, water and medication are key staples, but Soler says households should also consider items specific to their circumstances.

Pet owners should pack food and any medications their animals need. People who wear glasses may want to keep an extra pair in their kit.

“Many people leave home without their eyeglasses,” she said.

Families with children can also pack colouring books, games and other activities to keep them occupied during an evacuation or while staying at a reception centre.

Soler says comfort items can also help make an unfamiliar and stressful situation easier for loved ones.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to get prepared

For Canadians already feeling the squeeze of grocery bills and household expenses, building an emergency kit can seem like another costly responsibility.

But Soler says preparedness doesn’t mean buying expensive, prepackaged survival kits or specialty camping meals.

There are affordable options already sitting in many kitchen cupboards.

Rice, legumes and canned goods can all provide practical, nutritious non-perishable food supplies.

“You don’t need high-priced prepackaged camping meals, for example,” she said.

Instead, Canadians can start with affordable pantry staples and gradually build their supplies over time.

The important thing is to think about what your household would actually need, rather than feeling pressured to purchase an elaborate emergency kit all at once.

Three things Canadians can do this week

Soler recommends three steps for households looking to get started.

1. Find out what emergencies could affect your community.

Visit the federal government’s Get Prepared website to learn about hazards in your province or territory.

Consider whether your area is at risk of flooding, wildfires, ice storms or severe winds.

2. Make an emergency plan.

Talk with family members and neighbours about where you would meet, how you would communicate and what you would do if an evacuation order were issued.

Consider where children might be during the day, whether relatives live in care facilities and whether anyone nearby might need help.

3. Build or buy an emergency kit.

Start with drinking water, non-perishable food, essential medications, important documents and supplies specific to your household.

The Canadian Red Cross also provides guidance on building or buying an emergency kit at redcross.ca.

Soler says emergency planning also involves knowing who in your community might need additional assistance.

“Resiliency starts with community. It starts in the household,” she said.

Having a plan, knowing your neighbours and understanding local risks are all part of preparing for an emergency.

Canadians weigh in on the 72-hour preparedness advice

The federal government’s reminder to keep enough supplies on hand to get through 72 hours without essential services has also sparked discussion online.

One social media user pointed to the realities of Canadian winters, saying anyone who has experienced a blizzard or ice storm understands the importance of keeping emergency supplies on hand, including blankets, hand warmers, food and water that don’t require electricity.

Another user highlighted the financial reality facing some Canadians, saying they are struggling to afford even a single day’s worth of food, let alone stockpile emergency supplies.

Another user drew on memories of the devastating 1998 ice storm, saying the experience had taught them the importance of being prepared for the next emergency.

Another user argued that 72 hours of supplies may not be enough, pointing to past Canadian disasters that lasted weeks and suggesting households aim to have at least 30 days of essentials on hand.