Safety and Emergency Preparedness for the Disabled

SEE MY NEW WEBSITE DEVOTED MAINLY TO HELPING THOSE WITH A PHYSICAL DISABILITY DURING DISASTERS.

EMERGENCY PREPARATION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATIONS www.disaterprep4disabled.com  

We all live in a part of the country where natural disasters are possible. Areas such as the East, South East and Southern Plains States are more vulnerable to TORNADOS and HURRICANES. The West Coast has a good probability of EARTHQUAKES or even a VOLCANIC ERUPTION. Anyone living near a river or near the ocean is at risk for FLOODING. Dessert and mountain areas have WILDFIRES and most of us could be at risk for extreme weather conditions such as HEAT WAVES, BLIZZARDS, ICE AND WIND STORMS. We all face the danger of a HOUSE FIRE or rare HAZARDOUS WASTE SPILL and we all know too well about the possibility of TERRORISM.

We do not need to live in fear and hopefully we may never have to face a natural disaster, a home fire or be in an emergency situation. We may not move as fast or as easily as others and we may have special needs, so we must be prepared, at work, at home, in our cars and even while away from home, for any type of emergency.  Ask yourself the following questions....

•  If there was a natural disaster such as a flood, hurricane, earthquake, tornado, wild fire or a house fire and you had to leave your house now and seek refuge at a shelter, hotel or friends house, do you have the basic and "special needs" supplies you may need for a 2-5 days away from home?

•  What supplies will you need for your special needs? (Medication? Cane?)

•  Are your supplies readily available and accessible for you to leave quickly? Can you carry them alone?

•  Do you need assistance to get to the car or shelter? Who will help you?

•  Do you have an evacuation plan written up and have you tried it out?

•  Do you know where you will go or who to call?

Getting prepared can be a simple process or a very involved one, but where ever you choose to start, at least do something. Make the basic preparations and educate yourself and others on your needs. One very important step is evaluating your needs, making a plan and communicating this to someone close to you, a family member or neighbor, anyone that will help you carry out your plan if needed.

If you do nothing more,  Develop a support group and educate them about your special needs.      

Talk to your family, friends and close neighbors about your situation and your needs. Have a note on your neighborhood Block Watch list or tell your neighbors that you are disabled and ask to be checked in on in case  of a major emergency. Tell a few trusted neighbors where an extra house key is (use a locked key box outside) or give them a copy of your key. Notify your local fire department, some have a list of people with disabilities.  Have a list outlining how someone can help you, what medications you need and what your special needs are.   It is important to list & post at home your emergency contacts and their phone numbers and also give the list to your support group and a neighbor. Find one contact out of state person to check in with, as often local phone calls will be busy.

Make a plan.  

How to best exit your house in an emergency.  Where to go if you need to leave home. What type of assistance will you need and who will assist you.

Have some basic supplies on hand and accessible at all times.  

•  Working flash light by your bed and one in the car. Extra Batteries. 
•  Basic First Aid Kit at home and in the car.
•  Portable battery operated or solar radio with extra batteries.
•  Extra 3-5 day supply of needed medications in a pill dispenser.
•  List of your medications and the dosages and times you take them.
•  Sturdy pair of walking shoes under your bed, in the car or desk drawer.
•  Extra cash and change, along with your Personal Identification.
•  Extra set of car and house keys.
•  Whistle or signaling devise.  A cell phone is very helpful, keep it near you.
•  Any special dietary needs, medical supplies or assistive devises.
•  Bottled water. 
•  Blanket or warm jacket.

Click on underlines for detailed printable list of supplies to have at home at all times.

Basic Emergency Supplies & Basic First Aid Kit

Make your home a safer place.

•  Put Smoke detectors in your bedrooms and check 2x a year.

•  Have an escape ladder in your bedroom if you live on an upper floor.

•  Place fire extinguishers in the kitchen, utility room, garage and car. 

•  Learn how to use them and check them every six months.

•  Consider purchasing a evacuation smoke hood.

•  Keep exits & hallways clear and have well lighted with sensor night lights.

•  Install grab bars and stair handrails where needed.

•  Design and post a written evacuation plan for your home. Have practice drills with your family or friends.   Mark exits, location of supplies and utilities on the map. Have a gas turn-off wrench available. Learn how to turn-off all utilities. Post emergency numbers on plan.

There are many great websites dealing with getting yourself, your family, your home and your car prepared in case of an emergency.  Some of the sites deal specifically with Special Needs populations.  I have listed some below for you to explore.  Simply click on the underlined word to access the sites.

AOK Medi-Rescue Chair

LoveHandles  Portable, Assistive Chair Lift for transfers, evacuation and travel

American Red Cross

Community Preparedness Website Project (Special needs populations)

Earthquake Preparation Supplies - Quake Hold

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Find Your STATE'S Emergency Management Website

Home Safe Home® - The Safety Zone® / Safety Supplies

Medic Alert - Pendants & Medical Emergency Information Center

Storm Watch @ weather.com