Emergency ABC - Disability Dangers during Disasters

Disability Dangers during Disasters

Disaster can strike your community at any time. Some disasters, such as hurricanes give ample warning, while others can happen without so much as a hint of impending trouble. Many people assume that if a disaster strikes, there will be an organization such as the Red Cross right around the corner to help. While the Red Cross and other organizations are great at helping during disasters, they can only do so much. Their first priorities are to provide food, water, and shelter to those who need it. Secondly, they will often deal with some of the issues disabled people may deal with during and after a disaster. To ensure the disabled will be provided for as needed, consider these areas of danger and follow these helpful tips.

Medication

Some of the most common disability issues when disaster strikes revolve

around medication. Many organizations will work with the disable to ensure that they have their medication as needed. However, this is not usually the number one priority on the list of the organization. If you or a family member is disabled and must take medication daily, never let the medication supply run under seven days. This means that at all times; the disabled person should have at least seven days worth of medication if needed. This will help ensure that the disabled person will not run out of their medications directly following a disaster. If the disaster is still causing community turmoil after seven days, the disabled person will likely be able to find help receiving more medication at this point.

Equipment

Another concern and danger during and after a disaster is the lack of functional medical equipment. Many disabled people must have working medical equipment to survive. If you or a family member must have electric operated medical equipment to survive, talk to your doctor or technician about a backup battery. If the power fails, you backup battery should kick right in. Keep several batteries handy, in case the power is off for an extended period of time. If at any time your batteries fail, you should call emergency personnel immediately and be taken to a hospital. Hospitals have backup generators that allow them to use medical equipment even when the entire town is without electricity.

Evacuation Plans

Disabled people can still be very capable of living on their own. They can do everything a healthy person can do in many cases. When disaster strikes however, it may be impossible or more difficult for a disabled person to quickly evacuate their home if needed. Any disabled person who lives alone should have a plan for evacuation from each room in their home. There should also be a neighbor who will commit to helping the person flee if necessary. Be sure that every disabled person has someone close to their home with a key to their residence. This will help ensure they will not be left behind if an evacuation occurs.

Asking For Help

The number one reason disabled people may perish more often in disasters is because they will not ask for help. If you are disabled and need help, ask for it! There is no shame in asking for help, especially when a disaster is involved. If you need help getting out of your home, finding water or food, or getting your medication, there is someone who can help you. If neighbors or family can't help you, call local churches, organizations, or government offices. They will be able to assist you or point you in the right direction. If you cannot call anyone, try to get the attention of those around you by yelling, waving flags out of the window, or making signs.

The truth is that disasters have a huge impact on disabled people. They are often left without necessary items others may be able to do without. Being prepared for disaster is the best thing disabled people can do however. If you are prepared and know what should be done in a disastrous situation, then you will be less affected in the aftermath. So, be sure to stock up on medications, have backup plans for medical equipment, create evacuation plans, and ask for help to ensure you or your disabled friend will be safe during a disaster.

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Home
◦ Disability Dangers during Disasters
◦ Do You Know All Your Emergency Phone Numbers?
◦ Drafting a Medical Game Plan in Case of an Emergency
◦ Fifteen Ways to Disaster Proof Your Home
◦ Five Fire Facts for Fleeing to Safety
◦ Five Important Things to Know before Cleaning Up after a Flood
◦ Five Things to Ask Your Child's School or Daycare Provider about their Emergency Preparedness
◦ Five Things to Do to Protect Yourself during a Lightning Storm
◦ Five Things to Do When Disaster Strikes While You Are at Work
◦ Five Tips in Averting Home Fires
◦ Four Ways to Protect Your Family against Crime during an Emergency or Disaster
◦ Gassing up and Other Things to Do in an Evacuation
◦ Get Fired Up - Do You Know What to Do in a Fire?
◦ Household Hints to Live by in Preparing for an Evacuation
◦ How to Plan Your Escape Route When Disaster Strikes
◦ How to Raise Awareness for Emergency and Disaster Preparation
◦ How to Talk to Your Child about Disaster Preparation
◦ Hurricane Help - Ten Ways to Prepare for the Big Storm
◦ Importance of Water in an Emergency or Disaster
◦ Insure Against Disaster - Re-Evaluate your Disaster Policies
◦ Keep Afloat During Floods - Six Important Safety Tips
◦ Make a Plan of Action in Case of a Chemical Spill
◦ Making the best out of being stranded: When your vacation won't let you leave
◦ Office Preparedness - Items for your Survival Kit
◦ Pet Essentials - What You Need to Pack in Case of Evacuation

Home Security
◦ 3 essential steps to build a secure community
◦ 5 absolute essentials of home security
◦ 5 absolute essentials of protecting yourself from bogus callers
◦ 5 essential things to check for when you are buying a house
◦ 5 things you must never do if you want a secure home
◦ Apartment Security
◦ Computerized Home Security
◦ Home Automation System
◦ Home Security: 7 things you should never forget about.
◦ Home Security Advice
◦ Home Security Alarm Monitoring
◦ Home Security and Children
◦ Home Security and Information Security
◦ Home Security and Personal Safety
◦ Home Security and Safety
◦ Home Security Basics
◦ Home Security: Bogus Callers
◦ Home Security: Burglary Prevention
◦ Home Security Companies and Contractors
◦ Home Security Do It Yourself
◦ Home Security: Domestic Dangers