Talking about personal safety is at the top of the priority list for the Ontario Provincial Police.
During Emergency Preparedness Week, which takes place May 5 to 11, the OPP is reminding the public of the steps they can take to secure their safety if they are faced with a significant threat to their safety.
If public safety is threatened, the OPP say they will most commonly alert residents by way of emergency alerts, which the OPP will issue on behalf of local police services across the province.
The most common direction the public will receive during an emergency alert is to shelter in place. If you receive instructions to shelter in place, you should:
Immediately move to a safe place where you can remain until further notice. The ideal location has few or no windows.
If outside or driving, seek shelter in the nearest building, preferably in an interior room with few windows.
Bring pets inside.
Lock doors, even in businesses.
Shut and lock all exterior doors and windows.
Avoid overcrowding by using several rooms if necessary.
Do not approach or engage the suspect if observed.
If you see the suspect, dial 9-1-1. (Do not call 9-1-1 for information or updates.)
Wait for and follow further instructions from local authorities.
Look after each other. You will be notified when it is safe to leave.
Residents might be aware of sudden AMBER Alerts on their phone – but OPP want to clarify that there’s a big difference. AMBER Alerts are issued in order to garner public engagement to help locate an abducted child that is at risk of serious bodily harm or death. Emergency alerts deliver critical and potentially life-saving information to the public.
During Emergency Preparedness Week, the OPP want residents to take a small amount of time to brush up on this information to stay as safe as possible in the wake of a public safety threat.
(Written by: Noah Lorusso)