Canada and other nations advise 72-hour emergency preparedness

Public Safety Canada is maintaining its long-standing recommendation that citizens prepare to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours during emergencies, such as disruptions to water or electricity. This advice follows similar recent preparedness campaigns in the United Kingdom, France, and Japan.

In the United Kingdom, the “Be Ready” campaign has prompted spikes in the sale of essential goods. Officials in Normandy, France, have also urged residents to prepare emergency bags, while Japan has launched a new national agency for disaster management to improve earthquake preparedness.

While these various government initiatives are not officially coordinated, the simultaneous emphasis on stockpiling non-perishable food, water, and essential supplies has drawn public attention. Experts note that while the messaging has existed for decades, the prominence of such advice is increasing due to the rising frequency of natural disasters, cyberattacks, and severe weather events.