Planning for Special Considerations You may have special considerations during an emergency, such as vision, hearing, mobility, speech, language or understanding limitations. Your plan should include the things you may need to shelter in your home or away from your home. ✔ Develop a “buddy” system with family, friends and neighbours to check on each
other after an emergency. Telephones may not be working, so arrange check-ins with people who live near you. You may want to give your “buddy” a key to your home.
✔ Keep a list of medications, allergies and special equipment. Include the name,
address and telephone numbers of important contacts such as your doctor, pharmacist, family members, clergy or friends. Provide a copy to each “buddy” and keep a copy with you at all times.
✔ Remove or properly secure hazards in the home that could fall or cause injury. ✔ Develop a backup plan for life-sustaining equipment so it works in the event
of a power outage, which may include buying an emergency generator. Ensure you know how to properly operate and fuel your equipment.
✔ If you use oxygen, ensure the tank is secure. ✔ If you use a wheelchair or walking aids, keep them near you at all times
and have extra walking aids in other areas of the house.
✔ Place a battery-powered night light or flashlight in each room. ✔ Keep a whistle or horn handy to signal for help. ✔ If you use battery-powered equipment, ensure you have extra batteries
properly stored and accessible.
✔ If you require continued service from a service provider during an emergency,
make a list of all the required contact and service information and put it with your important papers. Ask each service provider for a summary of their emergency plans so you know what to expect following an emergency or disaster.
Planning for Pets and Farm Animals PETS Plans for pets can save precious time and maybe even your pet’s life. Make sure you designate someone to care for or evacuate your pet if you are not home when disaster strikes. If you have to leave your home, you will have to decide whether to take your pet with you. Keep in mind if you are evacuated to a group lodging facility or reception centre, you may need to make alternative arrangements for your pets. If you choose to leave your pet at home: ✔ Make sure they have dry food and water for at least seven days. ✔ Put them in a room where there is access to a high counter in case of flooding
and that is free of hazards such as windows, large mirrors or picture frames.
✔ Separate your dogs, cats and other smaller pets as they may behave differently
under stress.
✔ Leave a sign on your door with the number of animals in the house along
with their locations so emergency responders know where to look.
If you choose to take your pet with you: ✔ Put them in a sturdy portable carrier and make sure they are comfortable
with it beforehand.
✔ Include items for your pet in your emergency kit, such as dry food, water
and medications.
FARM ANIMALS Farm animals include alpacas, cattle, donkeys, fur-farmed animals, goats, horses, llamas, mules, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine. Make sure you have an evacuation plan in place and that you designate someone to execute the plan in case you are away when an emergency happens.
March 17, 2020 | IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
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