Canadian Red Cross is refreshing the public on the importance of evacuation preparation, especially with wildfire season showing no signs of letting up anytime soon.

Red Cross Provincial Operations Manager John Halladay says in the case of an evacuation order, it is very important to have a 72-hour kit. This is a bag or tote full of necessities such as snacks, with batteries, pet food, phone chargers, and clothing to last for at least three days of being out of the home. No matter the emergency, should the evacuation alert change to an order, families need to be able to grab the kit from a memorable and easily accessible spot in the house, and get out as soon as possible.

He encourages people to go through their kits at least twice a year and switch out the snacks, clothes, and batteries. Guardians should also be talking to their children about a house evacuation plan, including writing out which exits to use if there were to be a threat such as a fire or a tornado.

The 72-hour kits can be purchased at redcross.ca, but Halladay suggests that families add some of their own items to make sure all bases are covered.