Disaster
Preparedness
For
Seniors
by
Seniors
WHAT
WE CAN DO TO SAVE OUR LIVES
Dear
Friends,
A
group of older adults who experienced a two-week power outage when a massive
ice storm hit the Greater Rochester, New York area found themselves unprepared
for such a disaster. Afterwards, they decided that if they had only taken a few
simple steps to prepare themselves for such an event they could have
eliminated many of the hardships they had to endure.
They
developed a guide to assist seniors in preparing themselves for unexpected
events. Thank you to the Central
Upper Peninsula Chapter of the American Red Cross in Marquette County for
sharing “Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors” so we can pass the
information along to you.
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.
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
vPrepare Now For a
Sudden Emergency
vLearn how to
protect yourself and cope with disaster by planning ahead.
vEven if you have
physical limitations, you can still protect yourself.
Disaster can strike quickly and without
warning!
vLocal officials
and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach
everyone right away.
Take responsibility – Save your life!
vKeep in touch with
your neighbors and look out for each other.
Knowing What To Do Is Your
Best
Protection and Your
Responsibility
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.
Every
day some part of the country is affected by one or more of the following
emergencies:
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
Winter
Storms
Tornadoes
Thunder
Storms
Flooding
Toxic
Spills
Fires
In
Grand Traverse County the most likely emergencies are:
v
Fire
v
Weather Related (winter storms, tornadoes, thunderstorms)
v
Flooding
NOTIFICATION
How
You May Be Notified of a Possible Emergency by:
vNOAA
weather radio
These
special radios provide the earliest warning with an alarm that will alert you in
case of anticipated bad weather.
vCommercial
radio and television stations
Know your designated Emergency Alert System Stations
(EAS).
The EAS Radio Station in Grand Traverse County is: WTCM (FM) 103.5
The EAS Television Stations in Grand Traverse County are the local
stations of TV 7&4 and TV 9&10
Other Ways You May Be Notified of a
Possible Emergency:
vDoor to door
warning from local emergency officials
STRICTLY FOLLOW THEIR DIRECTIONS!
vBe aware of anyone in you neighborhood who may need special help.
FAMILY
DISASTER PLAN
Plan Ahead!!!!
o
When disaster strikes, you may not
have much time to act.
o
By planning ahead you may be able
to avoid waiting in long lines for critical supplies, such as food, water and
medicine.
o
Remember to review your plan
regularly.
o
For your safety and comfort, have
emergency supplies packed and ready in one place before disaster hits.
Assemble
enough supplies to last for at least three days.
v
Assemble the supplies you would need in an evacuation,
both medical and general supplies
v
Store them in an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or duffel bag
v
Be sure your bag has an ID tag
v
Label any equipment, such as wheelchairs, canes or walkers that you would
need.
Use the following checklist
to get started:
Your Disaster Checklist
P
Assemble disaster supplies
P
Arrange for someone to check on
you.
P
Plan and practice the best escape
routes from your home
P
Plan for transportation if you need
to evacuate to a Red Cross shelter
P
Have a plan to signal the need for
help.
P
Post emergency phone numbers near
the phone
(use
the space provided in the back)
P
If you have home health care
service, plan ahead with your agency for emergency procedures.
P
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 Medical Needs:
ü
First Aid Kit
ü
Prescription medicines, list of
medications including dosage, and a list of any allergies
ü
Extra eye glasses and hearing aid
batteries
ü
Extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen
ü
List of the style and serial
numbers of medical devices such as pacemakers
ü
Medical insurance and Medicare
cards
ü
List of doctors and relatives or
friends who should be notified if you are injured
Any
other items you may need:
ü
ü
ü
ü
General
Emergency Supplies
ü
Battery powered radio and
flashlight with extra batteries for each
ü
Change of clothing, rain gear and
sturdy shoes
ü
Blanket or sleeping bag
ü
Extra set of keys
ü
Cash, credit cards, change for the
pay phone
ü
Personal hygiene supplies
ü
Phone numbers of local and
non-local relatives or friends
ü
Phone number of insurance agent
Other items you want to include:
GENERAL
DISASTER SUPPLIES
SHELTER
IN PLACE
In some emergencies, it may
not be necessary to evacuate, or you may be ordered to stay in your home.
This means staying where you are
and making yourself as safe as possible until the emergency passes or you are
told to evacuate.
IF this happens, you will
need the following supplies, in
addition to your other general emergency supplies:
o
Water
supply – one gallon per day per
person.
Remember, plan for at
least 3 days.
Store
water in a sealed, unbreakable container you are able to
handle.
Identify the storage date
and replace every six months.
o
Non-perishable
food supply – including special
foods you
require.
Choose foods that are easy to store and carry,
nutritious
and ready-to-eat, rotate regularly (foil packed tuna,
granola bars)
o
Manual
can-opener you are able to use.
o
Non-perishable
food for any pets.
SHELTER
IN PLACE
If you are told to
“Shelter In Place” because of a chemical emergency or other situation where
it is safer to remain indoors than go outside where the air is unsafe to
breathe:
ü
Close
all windows in your home
ü
Turn
off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems
ü
Close
the fireplace damper
ü
Go
to an above ground room (not the basement) with the fewest windows and doors
ü
Take
you Disaster Supplies with you
ü
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.
ü
If
you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shade, blinds or
curtains. To avoid injury, stay
away from the windows.
ü
Stay
in the room and listen to your radio until you are told all is safe or you are
told to evacuate.
Going
To A Shelter May Be Necessary
Red
Cross shelters may be opened if:
o
A disaster affects a large number
of people
o
The emergency is expected to last
several days
Be
Prepared to go to a shelter if:
o
Your area is without electrical
power
o
There is a chemical emergency
affecting your area
o
Flood water is rising
o
Your home has been severely damaged
o
Police or other local officials
tell you to evacuate
Services
provided at a Red Cross shelter:
o
Food
o
Temporary Shelter
o
Basic First Aid
To learn about Red Cross shelters serving
you area:
o
Listen to your battery powered
radio
o
Check with you local Red Cross
Chapter
All American Red Cross emergency services
are provided free of charge
vCoordinate with
you home care provider for evacuation procedures
vTry to car pool if
possible
vIf you must have
assistance for special transportation, call the American Red Cross or your local
officials
vWear appropriate
clothing and sturdy shoes
vTake your Disaster
Supplies Kit
vLock your home
vUse the travel
routes specified or special assistance provided by local officials.
Don’t take any shortcuts, they may be unsafe
vNotify 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………
Ø
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
Ø
Let others know when you left and
where you are going
Ø
Make arrangements for pets. Animals other than working animals may not be allowed in
public shelters.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & SAFETY TIPS FOR
GRANDCHILDREN
It
is estimated that 3.4 million children live in a household headed by
grandparents and many children visit their grandparents often.
To prepare a safe environment at home for children:
·
Store
matches and lighters up high, away from children
·
Move
cleaning supplies and other poisonous chemicals to high cupboards OR install a
child-proof lock if you must keep those items in low cabinets
·
Store
prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs like aspirin, cough medicines,
and stomach-ache 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. Change the battery
in spring and fall when you change your clocks for day light savings time.
§
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.
§
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 eyeglasses prescription,
list of medications and their dosages, and other important papers to take with
you if you have to leave your home.
FOR
MORE INFORMATION
Grand Traverse County Health
Department
922-2718
American Red Cross-Northwest
Chapter (Traverse City) 947-7286
EMERGENCY
PHONE NUMBERS
Local emergency
services number
911
Ambulance
911
Nearest Relative
Local Contact
Doctors
Local Red Cross Chapter
Traverse City 947-7268
Insurance Agent
Utilities
Other
MEDICATIONS
LIST WITH DOSAGE
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
§
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.
§
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 eyeglasses prescription,
list of medications and their dosages, and other important papers to take with
you if you have to leave your home.
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
Grand Traverse County
Health Department
922-2718
American Red
Cross-Northwest Chapter (Traverse City) 947-7286
EMERGENCY PHONE
NUMBERS
Local emergency
services number
911
Ambulance
911
Nearest Relative
Local Contact
Out of State
Contact
Doctors
Local Red Cross Chapter
Traverse City 947-7268
Insurance Agent
Utilities
Other
MEDICATIONS
LIST WITH DOSAGE
ALLERGIES
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________