Emergency Preparedness for Seniors

Types of Emergency
How Will You Know About an Emergency
Supplies You Need in Case of Emergency
Things to do Ahead of Time
Prepare a Safe Environment for Children
In Case of Chemical Emergency
In Case of Fire
Helpful Tips

Types of Emergency
Hurricanes
Winter Storms
Thunder Storms
Lightning Strikes
Toxic Spills (Liquid or Vapor)
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Flooding
Fires
Terrorist
Vandals
Poisons
Ice Storms

How Will You Know About an Emergency
TV, regular or EAS
Radio, regular or NOAA weather
Newspaper
Neighbor Phone Call
Incident
Emergency Officials

Supplies You Need in Case of Emergency
Batteries for radios, TV, flashlights, hearing aids
List of prescriptions
Extra prescriptions
First aid kit
List of allergies
Glasses
3-day supply of oxygen
Copy of medical & home insurance cards
Copy of auto registration and insurance card
List of doctors and their telephone numbers
Name of who to contact in case of injury
Battery operated radio and flashlight, maybe TV
Change of clothing
Blanket and pillow (perhaps sleeping bag)
Extra set of keys
Cash, credit cards
Personal hygiene items
Insurance agents name and phone number
5 gallons of water, per person
Roll of toilet paper
Gasoline in car
Non-perishable food, easy to store and carry
Manual can opener
Bottle opener
Food for pets

Things to do Ahead of Time
Have a plan to signal the need for help
Gather disaster supplies
Plan and practice the best escape routes from every room in your home
Make sure all residents know the escape routes
If grandchildren visit, make sure they learn the escape routes
Plan where people will meet outside the residence
Plan transportation in case of evacuation
Make plans for pets
Determine safe places in home for different types of emergencies
Post emergency phone numbers by main phone
Store medical and general supplies in an easy to carry container

Prepare a Safe Environment for Children
Store matches and lighters up high, out of reach
Install child-proof lock to keep children out of cabinets with cleaning chemicals, caustic soap, drain cleaner and other poisons
Store medicines in a cabinet out of reach (they can climb)

In Case of Chemical Emergency
If fumes are inside, go outside - If fumes are outside, go inside
Do not pull contaminated clothing over your head
Thoroughly rinse all skin areas touched by chemical

In Case of Fire
Remain calm
Drop to the floor and crawl (that's where the cleanest air is)
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, do not open it.
If your smoke alarm goes off, don't waste time to dress or collect valuables.
Do not try to fight the fire
Call for help from a neighbor's home
Never go back into a burning building for any reason
If you are in a wheelchair or can not get out of your area, stay by a window near the floor
If your clothes catch on fire, drop to the floor or ground and roll to put out the fire

Helpful Tips
Keep in touch with your neighbors and look out for each other
Take responsibility - Save a life, maybe yours
Learn how to protect yourself and cope with disaster by planning ahead
Know what to do ahead of time