 Look for electrical systems
damage. If you see sparks, broken or frayed wires, or if you smell burning insulation,
turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step on
water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
Electrical equipment should be checked and dried before being reused. Check for sewage and
water line damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and
call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, have them repaired and avoid using water from
the tap. You can use mineral water bottles for safe drinking water. Clean up spills of any
type immediately. Watch for loose plaster and ceilings that could fall. Take pictures of
the damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.
 Let your family contact know you have returned home and then do not
use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency. Telephone lines are
frequently overwhelmed in disaster situations. They need to be clear for emergency calls
to get through. Make sure you have adequate water supply in case service is cut off. Water
is often contaminated after major disasters. Stay away from downed power lines and report
them immediately. Persons with disabilities, or those who may have mobility problems (such
as elderly persons), should prepare as anyone else. In addition, they should consider some
of the following steps:
Create a network of relatives, friends, or
co-workers to assist in an emergency.
If you think you may need assistance in a
disaster, discuss your disability with relatives, friends, or co-workers and ask for their
help. For example, if you need help moving or require special arrangements to receive
emergency messages, discuss it out with friends.
Make sure they know where you keep your
emergency supplies. Give a key to a neighbour or friend who may be able to assist you in a
disaster.
Maintain a list of important items and store
it with your emergency supplies. Give a copy to another family member, a friend or
neighbour.
Important items might include:
Special equipment and supplies, for example,
hearing aid batteries.
Current prescription names and dosages.
Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of
doctors and pharmacists.
Detailed information about the
specifications of your medication regime.
 You can initiate a practice of wearing medical alert tags or
bracelets to identify your disability in case of an emergency. These may save your life if
you are in need of medical attention and unable to communicate. Know the location and
availability of more than one facility if you are dependent on a dialysis machine or other
life-sustaining equipment or treatment. There may be several people requiring equipment,
or facilities may have been affected by the disaster. If you have a severe speech,
language, or hearing disability store a writing pad and pencils to communicate with
others. Keep a flashlight handy to signal your whereabouts to other people and for
illumination to aid in communication. Remind friends that you cannot completely hear
warnings or emergency instructions.
If you are blind or visually impaired, keep
extra canes well placed around the home and office. If you need a wheelchair, show friends
how to operate your wheelchair so that they can move if necessary. Listen to the advice of
the local officials. People with disabilities have the same choices as other community
residents when required to evacuate their homes and where to go when an emergency
threatens. Decide whether it is better to leave the area, stay with a friend, or go to a
public shelter. Each of these decisions requires planning and preparation.
(Concluded) |
