Step 5 Special Needs, Kids, Pets – If you need it to survive- Never be without it!

Preparedness for the Elderly and those with Functional or Mobility Needs:

Everything gets disrupted during a disaster. If you or a loved one is elderly or has special physical needs, it’s important that you do the following:

1. Look at every detail of every day life and plan an alternative for it.
2. Develop a personal support network of people who will be able to help you during a disaster.
3. Make sure your disaster kit has a back up for everything critical to your physical existence, including enough medicines and supplies to last a week. If your life depends on it, you should never be without it.
4. Discuss your plan with those you will depend on.
5. Get information now on community services that can support your special functional or mobility needs during a disaster.

Preparedness for children:

Children take their lead from the adults around them. If you panic; they will panic. If you are calm; they will be reassured during a scary or unfamiliar situation. Take these simple steps to prepare for your child’s needs during a disaster:

1. Remember age-appropriate supplies and comfort items when you prepare your child’s emergency kit. You may have put together a great kit for your infant, but if you haven’t updated it in the past year, your child’s needs won’t be adequately met now.
2. Update your child’s kits every six months to ensure that clothing still fits, medical needs are being met, and supplies are up to date.
3. Talk to your children about your family’s disaster plan. Knowing what to expect now will comfort them during an actual event.
4. Talk to your child care provider about their plan and how it affects your child and your family.
5. Be informed about what your child’s school’s disaster plan is.

Preparedness for pets:

1. Your pet needs two kits – one for staying and one for leaving.
2. Make sure your pet’s kit includes, food, water, medicine, collar with ID tag, harness or leash, sanitation supplies, and a picture of you and your pet together.
3. Plan now where you will take your pet if you need to leave home.
4. Make arrangements for a buddy system so that someone can look after your pets if you can’t.
5. Be informed about appropriate disaster planning by talking to your pet’s veterinarian.

Helpful web sites: www.ready.gov/ or in Spanish at www.Listo.gov or www.redcross.org

Next Step: Shelter in Place or Evacuate? – Stay or Go? Follow Direction Immediately!