| If you or someone you care about has a disability | | | | you have a secondary plan if the roads you |
| you ay face obstacles to evacuating your home | | | | intend to take are blocked or otherwise unusable? |
| or preparing for an emergency. Being prepared is | | | | Do you have a map with exit routes marked in |
| even more important for someone with a | | | | the vehicle you plan to use? |
| disability. There are a few very important things | | | | If you or someone you care about has a disability |
| that you should think about in advance and | | | | you may face obstacles to evacuating your home |
| prepare to reduce panic and possible medical | | | | or preparing for an emergency. Being prepared is |
| emergencies during a time that can naturally be | | | | even more important for someone with a |
| chaotic. | | | | disability. There are a few very important things |
| 1. Know How You Will Get Out of Your Home | | | | that you should think about in advance and |
| If you are mobility impaired or use an assistive | | | | prepare to reduce panic and possible medical |
| device such as a wheelchair, cane or walker, you | | | | emergencies during a time that can naturally be |
| will want to plan an escape route from your | | | | chaotic. |
| home. If you cannot use your primary exit, will | | | | 3. Stock Survival Equipment |
| you be able to exit through another door or | | | | In addition to the standard list of survival supplies |
| window? What exit tools should you keep near | | | | recommended by the American Red Cross, do |
| your secondary escape route? For instance, if | | | | you have at least a 3-day stock of the supplies |
| you do not have a wheelchair ramp at your | | | | and medications that may be unique to you? A |
| secondary door, can you store boards or | | | | seven-day supply would be even safer. These |
| plywood to make a temporary ramp? | | | | might include extra hearing aid and other batteries, |
| If you have only one door, can you physically exit | | | | oxygen tanks, protective undergarments, wound |
| through a window? Will you need any tools or | | | | care supplies, and perhaps a generator with fuel if |
| devices to make this possible? Have you | | | | you use a power chair or oxygen concentrator. |
| purchased or acquired them and are they stored | | | | 4. Register With Local Authorities |
| near the window? | | | | Have you contacted your local accessible shelter |
| If you will need personal assistance, do you have | | | | and pre-registered, if necessary? Have you |
| family, friends, or neighbors who would be | | | | registered with your local power utility if you rely |
| available to assist? Have you practiced moving out | | | | on electricity for life-sustaining medical equipment? |
| of the house together through all exits, so that | | | | If you require dialysis, have you located at least |
| they know what kind of help and equipment you | | | | two facilities where you could go if you cannot |
| will need? Do they have a key in case you are | | | | use your customary facility? Are they marked on |
| unable to open the door? | | | | your evacuation map? |
| If you primarily use a power chair or scooter, do | | | | 5. Medical Alert Jewlery |
| you have a backup manual wheelchair? Do your | | | | Do you have a medical alert tag, bracelet or |
| friends and neighbors know where it is stored? | | | | necklace to alert strangers and emergency |
| 2. Plan Your Evacuation Route | | | | medical personnel to important medical |
| Do you know the route you would take if you | | | | information? Do you wear it regularly? |
| were required to leave your town or city? Do | | | | |