Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by
Seniors
This information was
developed by the Rochester-Monroe County Chapter, American Red
Cross.
The pamphlet is available at your local Red Cross chapter, or call
Region 2 Area Agency on Aging.
Dear Friends,
We are a group of older adults who
experienced a two-week power outage when a massive ice storm hit
the Greater Rochester, New York, area. We were unprepared for
such a disaster. If we had only taken a few simple steps to
prepare ourselves for such an event, we could have eliminated
many of the hardships we had to endure.
We are just like many of you. Some of us
are in good health but aren't quite as agile as we used to be;
some of us have hearing or vision problems; others use a cane or
wheelchair. Whatever our limitations, however, we need to be
prepared. We can be prepared.
For six months we have researched and
discussed disasters and preparedness with the American Red Cross.
To avoid getting caught unprepared, we urge you to immediately
review the enclosed information and fill in the appropriate local
emergency numbers. Be sure to keep this helpful reference tool in
a handy place for quick reference.
Sincerely,
Vi, Melvin Q., Julia L., Nancy C., Marion V.,
Jam, Dorothy M., Janet H., Fran, Roger H., Mary S., and LaVinia
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
- Prepare NOW for a sudden emergency
- Learn how to protect yourself and cope
with disaster by planning ahead.
- Even if you have physical limitations,
you can still protect yourself.
Disaster can strike quickly and without
warning!
Local officials and relief workers will be
on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone
right away.
Take responsibility--Save your life!
Keep in touch with your neighbors and look
out for each other.
Knowing What to Do Is Your Best
Protection And Your Responsibility.
Every day some part of the country is
affected by one or more of the following emergencies:
- Hurricanes
- Earthquakes
- Winter Storms
- Tornadoes
- Thunderstorms
- Flooding
- Toxic Spills
- Fires
Which three are most likely to happen in
your area?
Preparing for a disaster that is most
likely to happen in your area will help you be prepared for any
disaster. Remember anything can happen at any time.
See the section, "For More Information," at the end of this document to obtain
information on potential disasters that can happen in your area.
Notification
How You May Be Notified Of A Possible Emergency
- NOAA weather radio.
- These special radios provide
the earliest warning with an alarm that will
alert you in case of anticipated bad weather. To
learn more, call your local National Weather
Service office.
- Commercial radio and television
stations.
- Know your designed Emergency
Alert System stations (EAS).
My EAS Radio Station is:
My EAS Television Station:
- Door to door warning from local
emergency officials.
- Strictly follow their
instructions!
Be aware of anyone in your neighborhood who
may need special help. If available, take advantage of advance
registration systems in your area for those who need help.
FAMILY DISASTER PLAN
Plan Ahead!!!
The next time disaster strikes, you may not
have much time to act. Prepare now for a sudden emergency.
By planning ahead you can avoid waiting in
long lines for critical supplies, such as food, water and
medicine. Remember to review your plan regularly.
Use the following checklist to get started:
Your Disaster Checklist
- Assemble a disaster supplies kit.
- Arrange for someone to check on you.
- Plan and practice the best escape
routes from your home.
- Plan for transportation if you need to
evacuate to a Red Cross shelter.
- Find the safe places in your home for
each type of emergency.
- Have a plan to signal the need for
help.
- Post emergency phone numbers near the
phone.
- If you have home health care service,
plan ahead with your agency for emergency procedures.
- Teach those who may need to assist you
in an emergency how to operate necessary equipment. Be
sure they will be able to reach you.
Medical Emergency Supplies
For your safety and comfort, you need to
have emergency supplies packed and ready in one place before
disaster hits.
You should assemble enough supplies to last
for at least three days.
- Assemble the supplies you would need
in an evacuation, both medical and general supplies.
- Store them in an easy-to-carry
container, such as a backpack of duffel bag.
- Be sure your bag has an ID tag.
- Label any equipment, such as
wheelchairs, canes or walkers, that you would need.
For Your Medical Needs
- First-aid kit
- Prescription medicines, list of
medications including dosage, list of any allergies
- Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid
batteries
- Extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen
- List of the style and serial numbers
of medical devices such as pacemakers
- Medical insurance and Medicare cards
- List of doctors and relatives or
friends who should be notified if you are injured
- Any other items you may need
General Disaster Supplies
- Battery-powered radio and flashlight
with extra batteries for each
- Change of clothing, rain gear, and
sturdy shoes
- Blanket or sleeping bag
- Extra set of keys
- Cash, credit cards, change for the pay
phone
- Personal hygiene supplies
- Phone numbers of local and non-local
relatives or friends
- Insurance agent's name and number
- Other items you want to include
It may not be necessary to evacuate, or you
may be ordered to stay in your home. If this happens, you will
need in addition to the above items:
- Water supply: one gallon per day per
person. Remember, plan for at least 3 days. Store water
in sealed, unbreakable containers that you are able to
handle. Identify the storage date and replace every six
months.
- Non-perishable food supply--including
any special foods you require. Choose foods that are easy
to store and carry, nutritious and ready-to-eat. Rotate
them regularly. See section, "For More Information".
- Manual can opener you are able to use.
- Non-perishable food for any pets.
SHELTER IN PLACE
In a chemical emergency, you may be told to
shelter in place. This means staying where you are and making
yourself as safe as possible until the emergency passes or you
are told to evacuate.
In this situation it is safer to remain
indoors than to go outside where the air is unsafe to breathe.
If You are Told To Shelter In Place
- Close all windows in your home.
- Turn off all fans, heating, and air
conditioning systems.
- Close the fireplace damper.
- Go to an above-ground room (not the
basement) with the fewest windows and doors.
- Take your disaster supplies kit with you.
- Wet some towels and jam them in the
crack under the doors. Tape around doors, windows,
exhaust fans or vents. Use plastic garbage bags to cover
windows, outlets and heat registers.
- If you are told there is danger of
explosion, close the window shades, blinds or curtains.
To avoid injury, stay away from the windows.
- Stay in the room and listen to your
radio until you are told all is safe or you are told to
evacuate.
Red Cross Shelters may be opened if
- A disaster affects a large number of
people.
- The emergency is expected to last
several days.
Be Prepared to Go to a Shelter if. . .
- Your area is without electrical power.
- There is a chemical emergency
affecting your area.
- Flood water is rising.
- Your home has been severely damaged.
- Police or other local officials tell
you to evacuate.
Services Provided at a Red Cross Shelter
- Food.
- Temporary shelter.
- Basic First Aid.
To Learn About Red Cross Shelters
Serving Your Area
- Listen to your battery-powered radio.
- Check with your local Red Cross
chapter.
All American Red Cross emergency services
are provided free of charge.
If You Need To Evacuate
- Coordinate with your home care
provider for evacuation procedures.
- Try to car pool if possible.
- If you must have assistance for
special transportation call the American Red Cross or
your local officials.
- Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy
shoes.
- Take your disaster supplies kit.
- Lock your home.
- Use the travel routes specified or
special assistance provided by local officials. Don't
take any short cuts, they may be unsafe.
- Notify shelter authorities of any need
you may have. They will do their best to accommodate you
and make you comfortable.
If You Are Sure You Have Enough Time...
- Shut off water, gas, and electricity
if instructed to do so and if you know how. Gas must be
turned back on by a professional.
- Let others know when you left and
where you are going.
- Make arrangements for pets. Animals
other than working animals may not be allowed in public
shelters.
RESIDENTIAL FIRES
One emergency we could all face at any time
is a home fire. A home fire could be a special challenge for one
with physical limitations. However, there are some things we can
do to improve our safety:
Before a Fire
- Plan two escape routes out of each
room. If you cannot use stairways, make special
arrangements for help in advance. Never use elevators.
- Sleep with the bedroom door closed.
This gives you extra minutes of protection from toxic
fumes and fire.
- Test your smoke detector battery
regularly, and as a reminder, change batteries on the
same day each year. Vacuum it occasionally to remove dust.
In Case Of Fire
- Remain calm.
- Drop to the floor and crawl. Most fire
fatalities are due to breathing toxic fumes and smoke.
The cleanest air is near the floor. Breathing toxic fumes
and smoke is more dangerous than the risk of injury in
getting to the floor quickly.
- Feel any door before you open it. If
it is hot, find another way out.
- If your smoke detector goes off, never
waste time to get dressed or collect valuables or pets.
Get out of the house immediately.
- Do not try to fight the fire! Call for
help from a neighbor's phone.
- Never go back into a burning building
for any reason.
- If your clothes catch on fire, drop to
the floor and roll to suffocate the fire. Keep rolling (running
from the fire only "fans" the flames and makes
it worse).
- If you are in a wheelchair or cannot
get out of your house, stay by the window near the floor.
If you are able, signal the need to help.
Grandchildren's Safety
It is estimated that 3.4 million children
live in a household headed by grandparents. And, many children
visit their grandparents often. The following safety advice for
children can help grandparents prepare a safe environment at home
for children:
- Store matches and lighters up high,
away from children.
- Move cleaning chemicals like
cleansers, soap, drain cleaner, and other poisons to high
cupboards OR install a child-proof lock if you must keep
these items in low cabinets.
- Store prescription medicines and over-the-counter
drugs like aspirin, cough medicines, and stomachache
remedies in a cabinet out of reach of children.
- If children are playing outside or in
a pool when skies grow dark or you hear thunder, ask them
to come indoors right away.
- Install plastic covers over all
exposed electrical outlets.
Children Can Help Grandparents, too:
- Have children test each smoke detector
in your home to make sure it is working by using a broom
handle to push the test button. See that the battery is
changed in each detector that doesn't work.
- Ask children to draw a floor plan of
your home and show two ways out of every room in case of
fire.
Summary and Reminders
- Take responsibility by planning now.
- Listen for information on radio and TV
about hazardous weather and other events, and heed the
advice of local officials. Leave right away if told to do
so.
- In some communities, people who need
help or transportation during an evacuation are asked to
register that need with their local government. Call your
local emergency management office for information and
suggestions about what to do during an evacuation.
- Gather essential supplies, and be sure
to keep a copy of your eyeglass prescription, list of
medications and their dosage, and other important papers
to take with you if you have to leave your home.
For More Information:
If you would like more information on
disaster planning or on the disasters likely to happen in your
area, the following information is available at your local Red
Cross chapter:
- Emergency Preparedness Checklist
- Your Family Disaster Plan
- Your Family disaster supplies kit
- Food and Water in an Emergency
- Are You Ready for a Tornado?
- Are You Ready for a Flood?
- Are You Ready for an Earthquake?
- Are You Ready for a Fire?
- Are You Ready for a Hurricane?
- Are You Ready for a Winter Storm?
The following may be ordered free
from the U.S. Fire Administration
NOAA Weather Radio information from
- NOAA Weather Radio
Stock #: NOAA PA 76015 Contact
your local National Weather Service office.
Includes frequency information,
type of information broadcast and where to obtain a NOAA
Weather Radio.
For more information from the National
Weather Service.
The following may be ordered from FEMA
Emergency information may also be
obtained from your utility company.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Local emergency services number:__________________________
Ambulance:____________________________________________
Nearest relative:_________________________________________
Local contact:___________________________________________
Out of state contact:_______________________________________
Doctors:________________________________________________
Local Red Cross Chapter:___________________________________
Insurance Agent:___________________________________________
Other:___________________________________________________
Medications List With
Dosage