Disasters like floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, fires and earthquakes, among others have the potential of changing your life instantly. Others like bomb attacks, terrorism and chemical poisoning are man made and may happen anytime. While younger family members may manage to survive on minimal provisions, the elderly are very vulnerable. Disaster preparedness kits for the elderly are therefore slightly different.
In order to provide for the needs of all members of your family, several measures must be put in place. Begin by identifying the threats that you are exposed to depending on your environment. When planning for escape, consider the medical requirements in an unconventional setting. Preparations for floods, earthquakes, hurricanes or tornadoes are not similar.
Safety is more than having an emergency kit. Identify community resource centers and how people in the locality are notified of disasters. It could be through the local radio, TV, weather station, etc. Each community also has rescue plans like emergency centers and evacuation procedures. Be keen to watch out for warnings and know the best action to take.
Identify the routes you will use to escape from the house or area. Ensure that they are not related in terms of direction and terrain so that you have alternatives. Test your preparedness once or twice a year and ensure that it is efficient. For easy coordination, assign roles to each family member in case you need to escape. An assembly point should be identified away from the site so that you can escape as a team. If you live in a storied house, invest in a ladder that is easy to use.
Communication is crucial during a disaster. Identify how you will communicate to every family member within the vicinity. It should be fast and reliable considering that certain infrastructure might be damaged.
Survival during the disaster depends on what you pack into the kit. Include non-perishable food items to last a few days. Consider your family size and include clean drinking water. Pack a flashlight, batteries and warm clothing. Matchboxes should be wrapped in waterproof packs.
Disasters are likely to displace you for a prolonged period of time. Photocopy identification documents alongside credit cards and other crucial documents. Include a whistle, a Swiss army knife and multipurpose tools. Pack some cash in notes and coins since financial systems might be affected. Special provisions like contact lens, medical prescription and batteries for hearing aids should go into the kit.
Maintenance of your emergency kit is as important as its content. Food items that are expired should be replaced and all canned foods stored in a cool dry place. Protect boxed food from insects and pest and revisit the content every year. Revisiting helps you to identify the changes you need to make based on the current needs of each member.
Each family member should have an updated emergency contact and health card. It must be kept within the kit. It includes such information as medication, immunizations, blood group, allergies and any communication difficulty, among other personalized information.
At least one family member should know basic first aid procedures including use of AED and CPR. The needs of sick, elderly and disabled like wheelchairs, hearing aids, accessories for blindness and personal care items should be included. Plan for the pet if you own one.
In order to provide for the needs of all members of your family, several measures must be put in place. Begin by identifying the threats that you are exposed to depending on your environment. When planning for escape, consider the medical requirements in an unconventional setting. Preparations for floods, earthquakes, hurricanes or tornadoes are not similar.
Safety is more than having an emergency kit. Identify community resource centers and how people in the locality are notified of disasters. It could be through the local radio, TV, weather station, etc. Each community also has rescue plans like emergency centers and evacuation procedures. Be keen to watch out for warnings and know the best action to take.
Identify the routes you will use to escape from the house or area. Ensure that they are not related in terms of direction and terrain so that you have alternatives. Test your preparedness once or twice a year and ensure that it is efficient. For easy coordination, assign roles to each family member in case you need to escape. An assembly point should be identified away from the site so that you can escape as a team. If you live in a storied house, invest in a ladder that is easy to use.
Communication is crucial during a disaster. Identify how you will communicate to every family member within the vicinity. It should be fast and reliable considering that certain infrastructure might be damaged.
Survival during the disaster depends on what you pack into the kit. Include non-perishable food items to last a few days. Consider your family size and include clean drinking water. Pack a flashlight, batteries and warm clothing. Matchboxes should be wrapped in waterproof packs.
Disasters are likely to displace you for a prolonged period of time. Photocopy identification documents alongside credit cards and other crucial documents. Include a whistle, a Swiss army knife and multipurpose tools. Pack some cash in notes and coins since financial systems might be affected. Special provisions like contact lens, medical prescription and batteries for hearing aids should go into the kit.
Maintenance of your emergency kit is as important as its content. Food items that are expired should be replaced and all canned foods stored in a cool dry place. Protect boxed food from insects and pest and revisit the content every year. Revisiting helps you to identify the changes you need to make based on the current needs of each member.
Each family member should have an updated emergency contact and health card. It must be kept within the kit. It includes such information as medication, immunizations, blood group, allergies and any communication difficulty, among other personalized information.
At least one family member should know basic first aid procedures including use of AED and CPR. The needs of sick, elderly and disabled like wheelchairs, hearing aids, accessories for blindness and personal care items should be included. Plan for the pet if you own one.