Special Needs

PERSONAL EMERGENCY PLANNING –
DISABLED/SPECIAL NEEDS

People with disabilities should take extra precautions when preparing for a disaster. One of the most important things you can do is have a buddy, someone who can help you evacuate and take care of you. During an emergency, your usual care giver may not be able to help you. Make sure your buddy knows how to operate any medical equipment you use.

Extra supplies people with disabilities and special needs may require:

	Prescription medications, a record of when and how much of the medicine you should receive.
	Prosthetic devises
	List of style and serial numbers of medical devices.
	Extra eye glasses, a record of the prescription.
	Emergency medical certification.
	Extra oxygen.
	Extra pillows, bedding.
	Medical insurance and Medicare cards.
	Back-up power supplies or generators for heat or air conditioning.
	Extra wheelchair batteries.
	Hearing aids, batteries.
	Heart and High blood pressure medication.
	Insulin.
	Denture needs.
	Contact lenses and supplies.

Extra supplies for infants:

	Formula
	Diapers
	Bottles
	Powdered milk
	Medications

PERSONAL EMERGENCY PLANNING – PETS

You need to have an emergency plan and kit for your pets. Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of state health and safety regulations. Only service animals are allowed in the shelters.
Safe places to keep your pets are the following:

	Hotels and motels outside of your immediate area that accept pets.
	Homes of friends and relatives outside of the area.
	Boarding facilities, veterinarians, or local animal shelters (last resort)
	Keep 24-hour phone numbers with the disaster supply kit for your pet. Include these items in the disaster supply kit:
	Medications, medical records, pet first aid kit with first aid manual.
	Carriers and/or sturdy leashes or harnesses
	Food, can opener, potable water and bowls
	Cat litter pan, scoop and plastic bags for waste disposal.
	Remember to evacuate your pets when you leave.

PERSONAL EMERGENCY PLANNING –
HELPING CHILDREN

Children experience trauma and fear during a natural disaster. If they know what to do because they have practiced family disaster drills, they should be calmer. When parents are calm, children calm down more quickly.

Before a disaster, parents can prepare children:

	Develop and practice a family disaster plan
	Teach children how to recognize danger signals
	Explain how to call for help (9-1-1)
	Help children memorize important family information
	Include children’s toys and special foods in 72-hour kit. After a disaster, children are most afraid the disaster will happen again, someone will be hurt or killed, and they will be separated from family and left alone. Parents can help minimize their children’s fears.
	Keep the family together, do not leave children with relatives or friends -take your children with you.
	Calmly and firmly explain the situation and your plans.
	Talk to your children at eye level
	Encourage children to talk about the disaster and ask questions.
	Include children in recovery activities by giving them chores that will help them feel like they are helping things get back to normal.
	Reassure children with firmness and love.
	Sympathize with and resolve their anxieties. Hold your children and spend more time with them.