Grid Safety and Disabilities
- Learn about the different types of hazards (storms/flooding/winter weather/power outages) that face your home, community, region and the places you spend most of your time.
- Know the contact information for public services such as fire, rescue, police and your utility providers.
- Complete a personal assessment of what will and will not be manageable in an emergency or unexpected weather event. Consider daily routines and the areas that will need special assistance or equipment.
- If you have trouble hearing or seeing or need mobility support, be sure you have alternative modifications in place in the event there is an emergency. Take time to write out a communication plan if you are unable to communicate with emergency responders or community helpers.
- Build a personal support network of family, friends, neighbors, roommates, care providers and/or colleagues who could help in an emergency.
- Organize your network by home, school, workplace, volunteer site(s) and any other places where you spend a lot of time. Weather can strike at any time.
- Think about what unexpected changes in your environment will restrict your abilities. Identify what help will be needed before, during and after an emergency or weather event. Write down your answers (or include them in your communication plan) for you to reference or should somebody in your network need to assist.
- Consider giving your personal support network access to your home. This can be keys or personalized codes. Be clear on when the appropriate time to intervene is. Write this in your communication plan.
- Be sure to show your support network how to use any assistive equipment.
- Make sure they are comfortable with your service animal if you have one.
- Questions to consider and have a plan for:
- Do you use a device to help you communicate (like an iPad, communication board or CapTel)?
- Do you need help with personal care, such as bathing and grooming?
- Do you use special utensils or have specific dietary needs that help you prepare or eat food independently?
- How will you use equipment that runs on electricity or batteries – such as dialysis machines, electrical lifts, communication devices and power chairs – if there is a power outage?
- Do you need a specially equipped vehicle or accessible transportation?
- How will you get groceries, medications and medical supplies if your support people are unable to reach you?
- Keep an emergency supply kit in your home, car, workplace and anywhere you spend your time. Include food, water, a first-aid kit, adaptive equipment, batteries and supplies for your pets or service animals.
- Make an emergency telephone list so others will know whom to call if they find you unconscious or unable to speak, or if they need to help you leave your home quickly.
- Make a medicine list with the names and phone numbers of doctors, medications, dosage and any other medical conditions.
- Write down what special equipment you use, your allergies and any communication difficulties you have.
- Keep all your written lists in a waterproof container such as a zip-top bag.
- Regularly update your directions/documents as your life needs change and alert your personal support network about any changes.
- Replace supplies in your preparedness kit as they pass their usefulness dates.
- Update contact information for your personal support network, emergency services and utilities.
- Replenish batteries and keep rechargeable units charged.
- Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries annually. Check indicators on fire extinguishers.
While this outline provides a useful starting point, there is much more to consider when planning for emergencies, especially for those with special needs. Each of these sites has customized resources designed specifically for your needs in challenging circumstances: