By Shannin Prather
January 2022 | 2022 Winter Newsletter
Medical emergencies and natural disasters are unexpected events that happen without notice and are often frightening and highly stressful, however, no one should face emergencies unprepared. Making the effort to create an emergency plan right now is a smart strategy to help you and your loved ones stay safe during and after an emergency.
It is important to consider your individual circumstances and needs to effectively prepare for emergencies and disasters. Follow these tips to begin building your emergency plan:
Create a Support Network of 2 to 3 People. These can be family, friends, neighbors, care providers, or others whom you trust who are willing and able to assist you during emergencies. These people should know your needs, know your emergency plan, and be able to help.
Communicate and Agree on Evacuation Plans. Where will you meet your loved ones if you are evacuated and how will you get there? Agree on an “out-of-area” contact person who will share messages among you and your support network if local communications are down. Advanced planning will ensure that everyone in your support network stay connected, informed, and calm.
Put Together a Kit of Emergency Supplies. In a disaster could you make it on your own for several days? Gather emergency supplies and store them in a container that is easy to get to and transport. Items to keep in your kit include:
- Three days’ worth of water and nonperishable food, a can opener
- Flashlight with extra batteries – check yearly to make sure it works
- First aid kit, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, and a few rolls of toilet paper
- Matches or a lighter in a waterproof container
- Whistle or other noise-maker to alert emergency workers to your presence
- Change of clothing and something for warmth (jacket, blanket, gloves, etc.)
- Photocopy of I.D. & other important documentation in zip-lock bag
- List of important medical information, medications and the Rx printouts received from your pharmacy
- Back-up of essential items, such as tooth brush, glasses, hearing aid batteries, denture cup, phone charger, etc.
- Checklist of all necessary essentials, such as: air tank, walker/cane, wheelchair, medications, dentures and adhesive, glasses, hearing aids, etc.
- A distraction—something to entertain you, such as a book or playing cards
For more information and tips on how you can prepare for emergencies, visit The Red Cross website at: redcross.org/prepare or call (877) 727-6771.
Medical emergencies and natural disasters are unexpected events that happen without notice and are often frightening and highly stressful, however, no one should face emergencies unprepared. Making the effort to create an emergency plan right now is a smart strategy to help you and your loved ones stay safe during and after an emergency.
It is important to consider your individual circumstances and needs to effectively prepare for emergencies and disasters. Follow these tips to begin building your emergency plan:
Create a Support Network of 2 to 3 People. These can be family, friends, neighbors, care providers, or others whom you trust who are willing and able to assist you during emergencies. These people should know your needs, know your emergency plan, and be able to help.
Communicate and Agree on Evacuation Plans. Where will you meet your loved ones if you are evacuated and how will you get there? Agree on an “out-of-area” contact person who will share messages among you and your support network if local communications are down. Advanced planning will ensure that everyone in your support network stay connected, informed, and calm.
Put Together a Kit of Emergency Supplies. In a disaster could you make it on your own for several days? Gather emergency supplies and store them in a container that is easy to get to and transport. Items to keep in your kit include:
- Three days’ worth of water and nonperishable food, a can opener
- Flashlight with extra batteries – check yearly to make sure it works
- First aid kit, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, and a few rolls of toilet paper
- Matches or a lighter in a waterproof container
- Whistle or other noise-maker to alert emergency workers to your presence
- Change of clothing and something for warmth (jacket, blanket, gloves, etc.)
- Photocopy of I.D. & other important documentation in zip-lock bag
- List of important medical information, medications and the Rx printouts received from your pharmacy
- Back-up of essential items, such as tooth brush, glasses, hearing aid batteries, denture cup, phone charger, etc.
- Checklist of all necessary essentials, such as: air tank, walker/cane, wheelchair, medications, dentures and adhesive, glasses, hearing aids, etc.
- A distraction—something to entertain you, such as a book or playing cards
For more information and tips on how you can prepare for emergencies, visit The Red Cross website at: redcross.org/prepare or call (877) 727-6771.