There are plenty of things we all buy to prepare for an emergency - first aid kits, bottled water, canned goods, etc. These provisions are generally good to have laying around at all times, just in case they're needed either day-to-day or when scary situations crop up without warning.

They're being highlighted in the Canadian media, hailing the kickoff of Emergency Preparedness week. This is the time when we have to review our plans for handling the unexpected.

As many Canadians know, among the list of things we need to have in our kits is a landline phone. Though some detractors might think that these devices are on their way out, that's certainly not the case; they prove supremely helpful in the event of an emergency. Their value truly cannot be overstated during these times.

Landlines trump cells
We've all been through those snowstorms that knock out power for extended amounts of time, and cellphone batteries only last so long. Landlines, however, because they're connected via grid, tend not to go out during these times, and can therefore be invaluable.

As such, 570 News counted them among the most important things to have on hand in order to be prepared, and recommended that each household have at least one. Not only can this allow families to stay in touch with each other, but contact can be kept with emergency officials as well.

The news outlet also explained that landlines trump cells for another reason - when different sorts of disasters occur, like ice storms, heavy winds or flooding, among other occurrences, they can often knock out cellphone towers, rendering the devices unusable. Therefore, not only do consumers need to have landlines in their homes, they've got to have a reliable phone service.

Other things to keep in mind
That said, landlines aren't the only things people should have in their homes in case a disaster were to occur. The Insurance Bureau of Canada suggested that individuals need to have enough provisions in their homes to be able to live for three days without leaving the house.

Moreover, the agency said that people need to recognize the weather patterns in their area, learn about the potential risks that come along with storms, and protect their homes against them. For instance, homeowners near the coast might think about investing in sandbags that may prevent water from creeping into the structure, or pumps in case some liquid comes in.