Durham Region outlines emergency-preparedness tips planned for May 3–9 awareness week

Durham Region says it will share emergency-preparedness tips during Emergency Preparedness Week, which runs May 3–9, 2026.

The region’s information is aimed at households across Durham, including people who live or work near a nuclear generating station, who are directed to the zoned Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Guides.

According to the Region of Durham, the week will include reminders about building or refreshing emergency kits, including kits for pets and vehicles, and backing up important documents.

The region says the tips will also cover making a household emergency plan, including talking with family about a meeting place and choosing one out of town.

Durham’s public alerting systems include siren, landline, cell alert, radio and social media, the region says.

The region also says the week will include information on when and how to shelter in place, evacuate, or take potassium iodide (KI) pills.

Residents who live or work near a nuclear generating station can find the zoned Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Guides at durham.ca/NuclearPreparedness. The region says the guides include “clear instructions on what to do in an emergency.”

Additional resources listed by the region include its At The Ready guide, nuclear safety tools and planning checklists at durham.ca/Prepared.

In a statement included in the region’s release, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer John Henry said Emergency Preparedness Week is a reminder that “readiness is a shared responsibility.”