|
|
|
|
|
| Home > Fact
of the Week 2012 > Mobility |
| |
|
01-16-2012
Preparedness
Facts of the Week
by
Elizabeth Hall, Emergency
Services Specialist -
Kings County Public
Health Department |
|
|
|
|
So
You Have the Basics?
What about those with Mobility Issues? |
|
>
| |
|
|
| |
Since we have already established
that the 4 basic emergency preparedness
steps are
1) Be informed, 2) Create a family
emergency plan, 3) Put together an emergency
supply kit and 4) Get involved in emergency
preparedness, we can feel pretty good about
starting off on the right foot down the
road to personal emergency preparedness.
But some families have a little more to
consider than the basics; not just the
elderly, who may have complications getting
around their home which could become a
death trap in an emergency, but those with
access and functional needs.
Some of these needs may be for those
with decreased mobility, health, sight
and hearing. You can imagine that this
could very well limit a person’s
ability to take the quick action necessary
to escape during an emergency. Depending
on physical limitations, many of the
actions an individual can take to protect
themselves from dangers may require
help from a caretaker, neighbor, or
outside
source.
Let’s use fire as an example.
Those with access and functional needs
such as older adults, people with limitations,
and the hearing and visually impaired
can significantly increase their chances
of surviving a fire by practicing proven
fire safety precautions.
|
|
| |
| I
know it sounds repetitive, but is vitally
important to make and practice escape
plans. In the event of a fire, remember,
time is the biggest enemy and every
second counts! |
- Don’t
assume you will be around to assist when an
emergency occurs. You should
always have at least three backups. Involve the
assistance of a building manager, family member,
neighbor or an entrusted friend when writing
and practicing your fire escape plan.
- Know
at least two exits from every room.
- If
you use a walker or wheelchair, check all
exits to make sure they get through
the doorways.
- Practice
opening locked or barred doors and windows.
If windows and barred
doors are not opened frequently, it may become
difficult to open during an emergency. Remember
also, the strength of someone in need may
not be what it used to.
- When
a fire occurs, do not waste any time saving
property. Leave the home
immediately. Once out, stay out.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Develop a Home
Fire Safety Plan |
|
| |
If you are caring
for someone in your home with access and functional
needs, you may need to make some room adjustments.
People with mobility difficulties should be
encouraged to have their bedroom on the ground
floor and as close as possible to an exit.
• Unless instructed by the fire
department, never use an elevator during
a fire.
• Be sure your street address is
clearly marked and visible from the street.
• Know
which local emergency services are available
and have those numbers posted
or memorized. There are many forms you can
use to write in your emergency numbers for
your area, as well as the people you have
included in your plan.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Inform Others
of Your Special Needs |
|
| |
Once you have
your plan put together, it would be a good
idea to share it with those who either live
with or around the person with special needs
in the event they may be called upon to help
assist in an evacuation. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Install and Maintain
Smoke Alarms |
|
| |
|
People
with physical limitations should be aware
of special fire safety
devices that are available, such as smoke
alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing
light for the deaf or hard of hearing.
In addition, smoke alarms with a strobe
light outside the house can catch the attention
of neighbors or others who might pass by.
Even though smoke alarms should
be tested every month, and the battery
changed at
least once a year, have you ever thought
that the person with special needs may
not be able to reach the smoke alarm to
do this? This is something you
should include in your plan! |
I
encourage you to rethink the process
of an evacuation. Don’t
look at it the way you would evacuate,
think about those
with special needs and run the plan through
your head. Are the steps you would take feasible
for those with special needs? As creatures
of habit, we become accustomed to our own
way of thinking. Expand your mind and look
at emergency situations from a different
point of view. You could save a life.
In closing, your plan
doesn’t have
to be an elaborate one to be effective. What
is important is that you have a plan, and
that it is tailored to fit your needs. And
of course, don’t forget…practice,
practice, practice!
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
..  |
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Be
Responsible - Be Ready - Be Prepared!
Teaming
Up for Emergency Preparedness
Elizabeth Hall
Kings County Public Health Department
330 Campus Drive
Hanford, CA 93230
(559) 852-2634
www.kingscountyoem.com
>
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
