Are you Ready for an Emergency?
by Jamie Kidd Hill

Most of us, given a few days’ notice, could evacuate our homes in a relatively efficient manner. But what if you only had one day, or even just a couple of hours? What if disaster struck suddenly? Or, imagine the opposite scenario: what if you were trapped in your house for some period of time? Could you and your family make it without power or water?

Disasters can come in many forms. They may be man-made, like in the case of a chemical spill; or natural, such as a hurricane or tornado. And, while we are getting increasingly better at predicting and containing disasters, we still have not figured out a way to stop them altogether. This article is not meant to scare anybody with doomsday scenarios. Rather, the point is to emphasize the importance of disaster preparedness. While being prepared is important for everybody, it is particularly crucial for those of us with special medical needs. We must take extra precautions to ensure our health and safety during a time of crisis.

Through its “Ready” program, the Department of Homeland Security has asked that everybody do at least three things: 1) prepare an emergency kit; 2) develop an emergency action plan; and, 3) become and stay informed as to different types of emergencies that may occur in your area, and any special responses needed to them. In general, you should plan on being able to function for three days without external help. In order to do this, your emergency kit needs to contain:

1. A gallon of potable water per person, per day


2. Non-perishable food, with can-opener if necessary


3. Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio and NOAA weather radio, with extra batteries


4. Flashlight and extra batteries


5. A whistle to summon help


6. A first aid kit


7. Dust masks, plastic sheeting, duct tape, bleach, and instructions on how to use bleach to sanitize surfaces and water


8. Garbage Bags and paper towels


9. Basic Tools, including a wrench and pliers that can turn off your utilities (note that you may need a special “key”)


10. Local Maps


11. Personal sanitation items for your family, including baby needs, if appropriate


12. Cash, including change


13. Change of clothes suitable for your climate


14. Blankets, sleeping bag, pillows, etc.


15. Waterproof matches and fire extinguisher


16. Mess kits


17. Paper and pencil


18. Any ‘entertainment’ items you might want, such as toys or books for children.


19. Copies of your important documents, including identification information (birth certificates, passports, marriage certificates, etc.), ownership information, and insurance information.

Note: Many of these items can be purchased packaged together at almost any discount or hardware store. These ready-made kits are a great start, but you still need to personalize your emergency kit for your needs.

Those of us with special medical needs also must make sure that we have our medicine, copies of our prescriptions, and copies of at least the most important parts of our medical records. In addition, you should carry a small, laminated informative card with the your most critical medical information, so that you can easily communicate with others. Your basic diagnoses, written in very plain English (“very likely to faint due to medical condition” instead of “neurally mediated syncope,” for example), and any drug or food intolerances should be included on this card. If you have more sophisticated or specialized needs such as a feeding tube, catheter, medicine port, etc., you should contact your local emergency management services to develop a plan to ensure that these can be met in the case of an emergency. They should be able to provide information regarding special needs shelters and emergent transport.

Do write and distribute a family emergency plan to all family members and several family members or friends outside your area. Include everybody’s name, sex, birthdate, height, weight, hair and eye color, social security number, and any crucial medical information. List work and school contact information, including, if applicable, known evacuation sites. Decide on a common point of contact outside the potential disaster area, as it will often be easier to make calls outside the area. If your family includes small children, make sure any caregivers have a copy of this plan. You may also want to consider including an identification tag in their diaper bag or backpacks with their name, your name, your outside contact’s telephone number, and any important medical information. If you are in a situation where you may be separated, such as in a large public shelter, consider pinning this tag onto their garments so that you may be reunited as quickly as possible.

Do not forget your pets in your planning! Make sure that you have enough food, water, medicines, treats, and toys for them in your disaster kit, and a way to transport them safely if necessary. Most disaster shelters will not accept animals, so you must make arrangements for their care in case you are separated. Do not assume that your regular veterinarian or boarding place will be open in case of emergency. Contact them to help you find available placements before they are needed. As difficult as this might be, if you have no other options, it is much better to release your pet, and let them attempt to survive using their instincts, than to trap them in an unnatural setting by leaving them locked in your house or yard. Remember, the most important thing that you can do to safeguard your pet is to ensure that they are as healthy as possible, up-to-date on all their vaccines, and wearing proper identification, preferably including a micro-chip.

The final step in the government’s plan calls for us to all become informed about the types of disasters that could affect our area. This obviously encompasses weather events: hurricanes along the coast, fires in California, tornados in the mid-west, and blizzards in the north, just to name a few. But you should also be aware of any other potential situations. For example, I grew up in relatively close proximity to a nuclear power plant, and we were always instructed to keep iodine tablets, which can temporarily block your thyroid from absorbing the radiation. You may have similarly unique needs if you are close to other industrial sites, or if your area has a special natural threat like a volcano.

After you have done all of this, it is important to make sure that you stay prepared. Check the expiration dates of your food, medicines, and other supplies, and use and replace them as needed. Occasionally replace your water. (Note: if you need to use water that tastes stale, carefully pour it from one clean container into another to reoxygenate it, and the taste will improve). Revise your family plan at least every year, or as needed.

Disaster preparedness can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are resources that can help. Two good sources of information are www.ready.gov and www.redcross.org. Your state, county, or city emergency management agency or health department should also have information available. Many people become anxious thinking about potential disasters, or feel that preparing is unnecessary or useless. However, you will find that being ready for anything brings great peace of mind, and will enable you and your family to face any challenge together.

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