Region of Durham recognizes National Emergency Preparedness Week May 5 - 11

Whitby, Ontario - From May 5 to 11, Durham Region Health Department and the Durham Emergency Management Office (DEMO) will recognize National Emergency Preparedness Week, encouraging residents to be ready ahead of an emergency by obtaining a free supply of potassium iodide (KI) tablets and a copy of Durham Region’s “Are You Ready?” guide.

“If you live or work near Durham’s two nuclear generating stations, you should know that KI tablets are available to you free of charge,” said Lisa Fortuna, Director of Health Protection with the Health Department. “While KI pills are available at any time of year, Emergency Preparedness Week serves as a great reminder to order your supply online.”

KI tablets are to be used in the highly unlikely event of a nuclear emergency involving the release of radioactive iodine. The tablets should only be taken when instructed by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health in the event of a nuclear incident.

KI is a stable iodine salt effective in reducing the risk of thyroid cancer in the event of a radioactive iodine release. As part of increased safety standards, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) requires that all homes and businesses within a 10-kilometre radius of both the Pickering and Darlington nuclear generating stations are provided with KI tablets. KI tablets are also available free of charge to anyone living within 50 kilometres of a nuclear generating station.

KI tablets can be obtained by visiting preparetobesafe.ca or by calling the Health Department’s Environmental Help Line at 905-723-3818 or 1-888-777-9613. In addition, in partnership with the Health Department, a limited supply of KI tablets is also available free of charge at the following Durham Region pharmacies:

• Bay Ridges Pharmacy, 1794 Liverpool Rd., Pickering
• Pickering Medical Pharmacy, 1885 Glenanna Rd., Pickering
• Liverpool Pharmacy, 725 Krosno Blvd., Pickering
• Global Drug Mart Remedy’s Rx, 130 Waverly Rd., Bowmanville
• Courtice Pharmasave, 2727 Courtice Rd., Courtice

Residents can also prepare for an emergency ahead of time by picking up a copy of the “Are You Ready?” guide. The guide provides step-by-step instructions telling residents how to be self-sufficient for 72 hours, plus other valuable tips that can be helpful during an emergency. Free printed copies of the guide are available at Durham Region Headquarters, 605 Rossland Rd. E., Whitby, or by calling 1-800-372-1102, ext. 2792. The guide can also be downloaded at durham.ca/prepared.

For more information about KI tablets, visit preparetobesafe.ca. Information is also available at durham.ca/KI, or by calling the Health Department’s Environmental Help Line at 905-723-3818 or 1-888-777-9613.

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For more information, please contact Health Department.