BC Hydro lowers prices of emergency kits by $20

A recent survey showed that only 27 per cent of B.C. households are equipped with an emergency preparedness kit. That's a situation BC Hydro hopes to improve on by subsidizing the price of St. John Ambulance Emergency Ready and Ready Meal Kits available at local retailers.

From October 30 to February 28, or while supplies last, British Columbians can purchase the Emergency Ready Kit for $39.95, a $20 saving from the regular retail price. The same applies to the Ready Meal Kits, regularly priced at $44.95 but now available for $24.95. The kits are available at the following retailers:

London Drugs
Canadian Tire
St. John Ambulance BC Offices
Home Depot
Pharmasave
Shoppers Drug Mart
Thrifty Foods
Kerrisdale Lumber (Vancouver)

"From our perspective at BC Hydro, this initiative is in response to the storm season last year," said BC Hydro's Kari Baker, referring to an unusually violent series of storms that led to power outages in B.C. last winter. "We want people to be prepared in the event of an extended power outage. We hope it won't happen, but we want people to be prepared."

Baker said that while some people prefer putting together their own kits, and that there's plenty of online information to help ensure they've included the right supplies, a lot of people just don't have the time to shop for the various items.

"What's also nice is that it's scalable," said Baker. "You only need one Emergency Ready kit per household, and one Ready Meal Kit per person in that household."

The Emergency Ready Kits, developed in consultation with the federal government and St. John Ambulance, include everything from a first aid kit to a water bag, batteries, safety gloves, bleach, biohazard waste bags and a flashlight. BC Hydro has also tried to make the kit as environmentally friendly as possible, replacing the former battery-operated radio with a version powered by either a hand crank or by solar.

There's extra room in the Emergency Ready Kit backpack so that individuals can supplement and customize the supplies with items such as personal medication or supplemental food or water.

The Ready Meal Kits offer enough food and water to sustain a person for 72 hours. Included are nutrient-rich bars, water, a thermal blanket, rain poncho, whistle, mask (CHECK) and light stick.

"What we recommend is that people put a Ready Meal Kit in their Emergency Ready Kit pack or in a Rubbermaid container," said Baker.

Last Modified: February 4, 2008