With the introduction of spring, the threat of flooding isn't too far off.
The Canadian Red Cross is exploring new ways to help residents of Windsor-Essex understand how to reduce flood risk in their homes and prepare for emergencies.
Representatives will be going door to door with tips to help minimize the chance of flooding and damage if flooding can't be avoided.
In a recent study from the University of Waterloo, Essex County was identified as high risk.
Housekeeping items as simple as cleaning out gutters and getting valuables up off the floor can make a huge difference, says Emergency Management Advisor for the Canadian Red Cross in Windsor. Donna Girard
"It doesn't mean you're not going to get flooded, it just means, let's try to minimize some of the risk and maybe save some of your valuables," she says. "It might be tips they just never thought of."
Girard says many people forget go make sure their last line of defence is actually defending the lowest level of their home from flooding.
"A lot of people don't even know, sump-pump never even goes on, well it could be the sump-pump doesn't work. Before you actually need it, maybe put a few buckets of water in there so it kicks in and make sure it's working," she says.
The Canadian Red Cross will kick-off its door-to-door campaign March 30th and it will wrap up on April 17th.
— With files from AM800's Patty Handysides