A Checklist for People with Mobility Problems

The next time disaster strikes you may not have much time to act. Prepare now for a sudden emergency. Learn how to protect yourself and cope with disaster by planning ahead. This checklist will help you get started. Discuss these ideas with your family and caregiver, then prepare an emergency plan. Post the plan where everyone will see it - on the refrigerator or bulletin board. For additional information on how to prepare for hazards in our community, contact Sarpy County Emergency Management (402-593-5785) or the American Red Cross (402-493-9628).

Emergency Checklist

The disasters most likely to happen in our community are tornadoes, ice storms, winter storms, hazardous materials incidents, air transportation accidents and floods.

Specific guidance for each disaster, such as evacuation routes, is available through Sarpy County Emergency Management (402-593-5785)

You will be warned of an emergency via KFAB 1110 AM, KEFM 96 FM, and via KETV, WOWT, and KMTV: you will need a battery operated radio or TV.

Some communities ask people with disabilities to register with local fire departments or Emergency Management to show that their address needs special attention. (402-593-2317.) If you currently have a personal care attendant obtained from an agency, check to see if the agency has special provisions for emergencies (e.g. providing services at another location should an evacuation be ordered.)

Learn your workplace and/or school emergency plan(s) and make sure they include specific assistance for the disabled.

Create an Emergency Plan

Meet with household members and caregivers to discuss the dangers of fire, severe weather, hazardous materials releases, and other emergencies. Explain how to respond to each.

• Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.
• Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injuries.
• Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room.
• Learn what to do for each type of emergency; for example, most people head for a basement when there is a tornado warning, but most basements are not wheel-chair accessible. Determine what your alternative safe place will be and how you will get there.
• Make more than one exit from your home wheelchair accessible in case the primary exit is blocked.
• If you live in an apartment or group home, ask the management to identify and mark accessible exits. You and your caregiver should know in advance where they are located.
• Arrange for a neighbor or family member to check on you and have a backup person to fill this role as well.
• Show family members and caregivers how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches when necessary.
• Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones and consider getting medical alert system that will allow you to call for help if you are immobilized.
• Teach children how and when to call 911, police and fire.
• Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information.
• Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated during a disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area). If disability includes hearing impairment, know the location of an alternate ttd phone is in your community.
• Teach children your out-of-state contact's phone number.
• Pick two emergency meeting places: (1) near your home, in case of a fire, and (2) outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a disaster. 
• Take a basic first aid and CPR class.
• Keep family records, including a record of your medications, in a water- and fire-proof container.

Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit

Assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation. Store them in an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or duffel bag and mark them with your name.   For shelter-in-place, these items may be stored in your designated shelter in a large tightly covered clean garbage can (one with wheels can aid in transport) or in plastic containers. Include:

• A supply of water (one gallon per person per day). A three-day supply is minimal. Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Identify the container with the storage date and replace every six months. The discarded water may be used to water plants or add chlorine and use for cleaning purposes.
• A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener.
• Food for guide or service animals. (Pets are not accepted at most public shelters, but you should plan for their food and care as well.)
• A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes.
• Blankets or sleeping bags.
• A battery powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
• Credit cards and cash.
• An extra set of car keys.
• A list of important family information in a watertight, fireproof container.
• A list of important medical information: the style and serial numbers of medical devices such as pacemakers, copies of prescriptions for medications and eyeglasses in a watertight, fireproof container.
• A list of all physicians and the medical treatment facilities at which they practice; their office and emergency numbers.
• Your insurance agent's name and phone number(s).
• A first aid kit and prescription medications.
• An extra pair of glasses; extra hearing aid batteries.
• Extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters and other medical supplies.
• Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members.

Escape Plan

In a fire or other emergency, you may need to evacuate your house, apartment, school or workplace on a moment's notice. You should be ready to get out fast.

Develop a home escape plan by drawing a floor plan of your residence. Using a black or blue pen, show the location of doors, windows, stairways, and large furniture. Indicate the location of emergency supplies (Disaster Supplies Kit), fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, collapsible ladders, first aid kits and utility shut off points. Next, use a colored pen to draw a broken line charting at least two escape routes from each room. Finally, mark a place outside of the home where household members should meet in case of fire.

Be sure to include important points outside such as garages, patios, stairways, elevators, driveways, and porches. If your home has more than two floors, use an additional sheet of paper. Practice emergency evacuation drills with all household members at least two times each year.

Home Hazard Hunt

In a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury and damage or prevent your escape if you have mobility problems.. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a potential hazard.

• Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections.
• Fasten shelves securely and brace overhead light fixtures.
• Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves.
• Hang pictures and mirrors away from beds.
• Strap water heaters to wall studs.
• Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations.
• Store weed killers, pesticides and flammable products away from heat sources.
• Place oily polishing rags or waste in covered metal cans.
• Clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors and gas vents.

If You Need to Evacuate

Listen to a battery powered radio for the location of emergency shelters. Follow instructions of local officials. If you are going to a public shelter, call the agency in advance to see if they are accessible or what alternative shelter they will provide.

• Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
• Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.
• Lock your house.
• Use travel routes specified by local officials.
• If you have time; but only if you are told to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity.
• If you have time, let others know when you left and where you are going.
• If you have time, make arrangements for pets. Pets are normally not allowed in public shelters.

Prepare an Emergency Car Kit

Include:

• Battery powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Blanket.
• Booster cables.
• Fire extinguisher (5 pound, ABC type).
• First aid kit and manual.
• Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods (granola bars, raisins, peanut butter) that conform to dietary regulations.
• Maps, shovels and flares.
• Tire repair kit and pump.

Fire Safety

• Plan two escape routes out of each room.
• Practice fire drills at least twice a year.
• Teach family members to stay low to the ground when escaping from a fire. If you are in a wheel chair and cannot escape, go to a window and signal for help from there if possible.
• Teach family members never to open doors that are hot. In a fire, feel the bottom of the door with the palm of your hand. If it is hot, do not open the door. Find another way out.
• Install smoke detectors on every level of your home. Clean and test them once a month. Change the batteries at least once a year.
• Keep a whistle in each bedroom to awaken the household in case of fire.
• Check electrical outlets. Do not overload outlets.
• Purchase and learn to use a fire extinguisher (5 pound, ABC type).
• Have a collapsible ladder on each upper floor of your house.
• Consider installing home sprinklers.

More Information is Available

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Information Program and the American Red Cross' Disaster Education Program are nationwide efforts to increase the ability of citizens to respond quickly and efficiently to disasters and emergencies of all types.

For more information, contact Sarpy County Emergency Management via e-mail or phone 402-593-5785. Ask for "Are You Ready?" which is available free of charge.

Return to the Sarpy County Emergency Management Agency Page

Created March8, 1998