Preparing for Emergencies
A Checklist for People with Mobility Challenges

For the millions of Americans with mobility problems, emergencies such as fires and floods present a special challenge. Protecting yourself and your family when disaster strikes requires planning ahead. This checklist will help you get started. Discuss these ideas with your family, friends or a personal care attendant and prepare an emergency plan. Post the plan where everyone will see it.

Emergency Checklist

Create a Plan

• Meet with household members or your personal care attendant. Discuss the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes and other emergencies that might occur in your community.
• Determine what you will need to do for each type of emergency. For example, most people head for a basement when there is a tornado warning but most basements are not wheelchair accessible. Determine in advance what your alternative shelter will be and how you will get there.
• Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones and teach your children how and when to call for help.
• Learn what to do in case of power outages and personal injuries. Know how to connect or start a back-up powder supply for essential medical equipment.
• If you or someone in your household uses a wheelchair, make more than one exit from your home wheelchair-accessible in case the primary exit is blocked in a disaster.
• Teach those who may need to assist you in an emergency how to operate necessary equipment.
• Arrange for a relative or neighbor to check on you in an emergency.
• Learn how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at main valves or switches.
• Plan and practice how to escape from your home in an emergency.
• Consider getting a medical alert system that will allow you to call for help if you are immobilized in an emergency.
• If you live in an apartment, ask the management to identify and mark accessible exits.
• Learn your community's evacuation routes.
• Listen to a battery-operated radio for emergency information.
• Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated by disaster.
• Pick two meeting places:
  1. A place near your home in case of fire.
  2. A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a disaster.
• Keep family records in a watertight, fire-proof container.

Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit

Assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation. Store them in an easy to carry container such as a backpack or duffle bag.

Include:

• A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries for them.
• A first aid kit, prescription medicines and an extra pair of glasses.
• A supply of water (one gallon per person per day). Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Identify the storage date and replace every six months.
• A supply of non-perishable food and a non-electric can opener plus any special foods you require.
• If you have a baby include extra diapers and other infant care items.
• Extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, medication, catheters, food for guide or service dogs or other special equipment you might need.
• A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes.
• Blankets or sleeping bags.
• A list of family physicians and the relative or friend who should be notified if you are injured.
• A list of the style and serial numbers of medical devices such as pacemakers.
• An extra set of car keys.

Also ...

• Store back-up equipment such as a manual wheelchair at your neighbor's home, school or your workplace.

Home Hazard Hunt

In a disaster, anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a potential hazard.

• Repair defective electrical wiring. Smell for leaky gas connections. If you smell gas, turn the gas off and call a professional to repair it.
• Keep the shut-off switch for oxygen equipment near your bed or chair so you can get to it quickly if there is a fire.
• Fasten shelves securely to the wall. Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves or the floor.
• Hang pictures and mirrors away from beds. Bolt large pictures or mirrors to the wall.
• Secure water heater by strapping it to a nearby wall.
• Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations. Brace overhead light fixtures.
• Store weed killers, pesticides and flammable products away from heat sources.
• Have chimneys, flue pipes, vents connectors and gas vents cleaned and repaired by a professional.

If You Need to Evacuate

• Listen to a battery-powered radio for the location of emergency shelters. Know in advance the location of wheelchair accessible shelters. Follow instructions of local officials.
• Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.
• Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.
• Lock your house.
• Use travel routes specified or special assistance provided by local officials.
• If you are sure you have time
  • Shut off water, gas and electricity if instructed to do so.
  • Let others know when you left and where you are going.
  • Make arrangements for pets. Animals other than service animals may not be allowed in public shelters.

Prepare a Car Kit

Include...

• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries and maps.
• Blanket and first aid kit.
• Shovel.
• Tire repair kit, booster cables, airpump and flares.
• Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type).
• Bottled water and nonperishable foods such as granola bars, raisins and cookies.

Fire Safety

• Plan two escape routes out of each room. If you cannot use the stairways, make special arrangements for help in advance. Never use the elevators.
• Install smoke detectors. Clean and test smoke detectors once a month. Change batteries at least once a year.
• Consider installing home sprinklers.
• If there is a fire, do not try to fight the fire. Get out fast. Do not stop for pets or possessions. Call the fire department after you are outside. Never go back into a burning building.
• Feel the bottom of the door with the palm of your hand. If it is hot, find another way out.

For more information or presentations on a number of topics contact us at: 402-441-7441