Red Cross urges disaster preparedness for people with special needs

PAGE 1 of 3 July 15, 2009

Bill Harrison

804-780-2256 (O)

804-418-0490 (P)

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TIME IS NOW!

American Red Cross Urges Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs

For the millions of Americans who have physical, medical, sensory or cognitive disabilities, emergencies such as fires, floods and acts of terrorism present a real challenge. The same challenge also applies to the elderly and other special needs populations. Protecting yourself and your family when a disaster strikes requires planning but preparation is even more vital for those with disabilities.

Create a Personal Support Network

A personal support network (sometimes called a self-help team) can help you prepare for a disaster. They can do this by helping you identify and get the resources you need to cope effectively. Network members can also assist you after a disaster happens.

Organize a network that includes your home, school, workplace, volunteer site, and any other places where you spend a lot of time. Members of your network can be roommates, relatives, neighbors, friends, and co-workers. Do not depend on only one person.

Complete a Personal Assessment

To complete a personal assessment, make a list of your personal needs and your resources for meeting them in a disaster environment. Decide what you will be able to do for yourself and what assistance you may need before, during and after a disaster. This will be based on the environment after the disaster, your capabilities and your limitations.

MORE

American Red Cross, Page 2 of 3

Power Outage Insurance

Learn what to do in case of power outages and personal injuries. Know how to connect and start a back-up power supply for essential medical equipment.

Have Back-Up Contact and Mobile Devices

Consider getting a medical alert system that will allow you to call for help if you are immobilized in an emergency. Most alert systems require a working phone line, so have a back-up plan, such as a cell phone or pager, if the regular landlines are disrupted.

Have a cell phone with an extra battery. If you are unable to get out of a building, you can let someone know where you are and guide them to you. Keep the numbers you may need to call with you if the 9-1-1 emergency number is overloaded.

If you use an electric wheelchair or scooter, have a manual wheelchair for backup.

Rely on Others for Help

Teach those who may need to assist you in an emergency how to operate necessary equipment. Also, label equipment and attach laminated instructions for equipment use. Store back-up equipment (mobility, medical, etc.) at your neighbor’s home, school, or your workplace.

Arrange for more than one person from your personal support network to check on you in an emergency, so there is at least one back-up if the primary person you rely on cannot.

If you are vision impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, plan ahead for someone to convey essential emergency information to you if you are unable to use the TV or radio.

If you use a personal care attendant obtained from an agency, check to see if the agency has

special provisions for emergencies (e.g., providing services at another location should an evacuation

MORE

American Red Cross, Page 3 of 3

be ordered).

Plan an Escape Route

If you live in an apartment, ask the management to identify and mark accessible exits and access to all areas designated for emergency shelter or safe rooms. Ask about plans for alerting and evacuating those with sensory disabilities.

For more disaster preparedness information for people with disabilities, access the Red Cross website at www.redcross.org. For free brochures on how to adequately prepare for a disaster, call the Greater Richmond Chapter at 780-2250 or use the Chapter’s web at greaterrichmond.redcross.org

END

Red Cross urges tornado preparedness

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Theresa House
Public Relations Representative
American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter
Office: 804.780.2297 § Cell:804.396-0186Email:houset@usa.redcross.org
http://www.greaterrichmond.redcross.org/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 5, 2008

RICHMOND, Va.—Because tornadoes can sometimes accompany hurricanes, the American Red Cross encourages everyone to prepare for tornadoes by following these safety tips:

Assemble a disaster supplies kit that contains:

• a first aid kit and essential medications
• battery-powered radio
• flashlight and extra batteries
• canned food and manual can opener
• bottled water for each family member

Prepare a home tornado plan:

• Pick a location where family members can gather, away from windows. It can be a basement or center hallway, bathroom or closet on the lowest floor. Keep this area uncluttered.
• If you live in a high-rise building and do not have enough time to go to the lowest floor, pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building.
• Share this plan with all family members and practice twice a year.
• When a storm threatens:
  Listen for storm warnings on TV and radio stations and take them seriously.
• If outside, try and get inside a sturdy building. If a building is not available, crouch in a ditch or low-lying area that is not subject to flooding.
• If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and head to safety. It is not safe to get underneath a highway overpass.

Reduce high wind damage to your home:

• Consult a professional about ways to reduce potential damage to your roof and garage doors.
• Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased or damaged limbs.
• Move or secure lawn furniture, trash cans, hanging plants or anything else that the wind can pick up and make a projectile.

Prepare your business

• Have a disaster supplies kit on hand, including a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert feature. Keep it on and when the signal sounds, listen for information about the weather.
• Back up computer data frequently and keep a back-up off site.
• Use UL-listed surge protectors and battery back-up systems.
• Consult with your insurance agent about precautions to take for disasters that may directly impact your business, including business continuity insurance.
• Keep phone lists of employees and customers with you, and provide list to key employees.
• Arrange for programmable call forwarding for your main business line. Then, if you can’t get to the office, you can call in and reprogram the phones to ring elsewhere.

Red Cross urges homes and businesses to prepare for hurricanes

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Theresa HousePublic Relations Representative
American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter
Office: 804.780.2297 § Cell: 804.396.0186
Email: houset@usa.redcross.org
http://www.greaterrichmond.redcross.org/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 5, 2008

RICHMOND, Va.—With Hanna on the way and an active hurricane season forecasted, the Red Cross encourages people to prepare now, not later. By compiling a disaster supplies kit, developing an evacuation plan and forming a communications plan, many potential injuries and problems can be prevented.Hurricanes are predicable storms.

Though hurricanes are easily tracked and have advance warning periods, they can quickly change direction, speed and intensity. The only defense is preparation. The following safety tips are recommended by the Red Cross:

Research your home and business
Find out if your building meets building code requirements for high-winds. Structures built to meet or exceed current codes have a better chance of surviving windstorms.

Prepare the building for high winds:

• Remove dead or diseased branches and limbs and check windows.
• Cut and dispose of dead or diseased branches from trees and tall shrubs so they do not break and become missiles during high winds.
• If you do not have pre-installed hurricane shutters, get outdoor plywood and cut it to fit every window in the home.

Check garage doors
Garage doors are frequently the first feature in a building to fail. Reinforce garage doors so they can withstand high winds.

Prepare a disaster supplies kit

• Include a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit, canned food, manual can opener, bottled water (three gallons per day) and medications.
• Store food that does not require heating and any items you may need for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.

Know the meaning of hurricane watch and hurricane warning

• A hurricane watch means a hurricane is possible in your area. Keep listening to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio or television for updated information.
• A hurricane warning means a hurricane will soon occur in your area. If you are told to evacuate the area, do so immediately.

Listen to local authorities and stay alert to broadcasts

• If local authorities ask you to leave, do so right away. You will need as much time as possible to evacuate, due to higher-than-usual traffic volumes.
• Listen to NOAA Water Radio and local television broadcasts for the latest information about the storm.
• Consult information provided by your local emergency management agency.

Prepare a family communication plan
Designate a friend or relative outside your area as your family contact in the eventyou are separated from family members during a hurricane.

If you live in a mobile home
No mobile home is safe in hurricane force winds. If you live in a mobile home, relocate to a safer structure until the storm passes.

Prepare your business

• Have a disaster supplies kit on hand, including a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert feature. Keep it on and when the signal sounds, listen for information about the weather.
• Back-up computer data frequently and keep a back-up off site. Use UL-listed surge protectors and battery back-up systems.
• Consult with your insurance agent about precautions to take for disasters that may directly impact your business, including business continuity insurance.
• Keep phone lists of employees and customers with you and provide lists to key employees.
• Arrange for programmable call forwarding for your main business line. Then, if you can’t get to the office, you can call in a reprogram the phones to ring elsewhere.