Once You’ve Prepared, Prepare Others!

Most of us like to adhere to the Golden Rule as much as possible, right? However you would like to be treated, treat others in that same way. So what if you have prepared yourself for an emergency but your family, housemates, or neighbours are having a tough time preparing themselves? What if they’re actually unable to prepare—what then?

It’s easy to take good health and fitness for granted when you haven’t experienced anything other, but a lot of people are more vulnerable—including senior parents, children and those who are disabled. It’s important to prepare on their behalf. Today, we’re going to share a few items that are important to remember when you’re helping others prepare so that you can do just that!

Seniors

• Add batteries for hearing aids to your emergency supplies. Store hearing aids in a container attached to the senior’s nightstand or bedpost, so they can be located quickly after a disaster.
• Keep an extra cane by the bed and attach a whistle. Remind seniors to move carefully.
• If your parent has mobility problems, plan a safe and manageable evacuation route.
• If a motorized wheelchair is usually used, have a manual wheelchair as a backup.
• If your parent is connected to a home healthcare agency, find out how they respond to an emergency. Choose alternative providers who you can contact in an emergency.
• You may also want to consider packing some other additional supplies, including extra glasses, oxygen, current medications and medical devices.

Children

• In case you get separated from your child, it’s important to include some extra items in their supply pack, including a list of contact numbers, some cash, and a personal letter from you, letting them know that you love them and that everything will be alright.
• It’s important to pack regular medications and think ahead about expiration dates.
• Packing one or two comfort items for your child is a good idea. These could include a couple family photos, and a stuffed animal or blanket that they love. These items could help calm them down during uncertain times.
• For your own sanity as well as your child’s, it’s smart to pack a couple activities that will keep their mind off of the present situation. This could include books to read, colouring books, puzzles or games.
• Of course, all of these items are in addition to the basic emergency supplies, all of which you can find right at your fingertips, at www.totalprepare.ca.

Disabled

• To keep your disabled family member safe, it’s wise to arm them with a personal alarm that will emit a loud noise to get the attention of others. Even a simple survival whistle could do the trick! In case you get separated, others will more readily be able to come to your family member’s aid.
• If your family member is reliant on life-saving equipment in your home, it’s crucial to have an emergency backup power supply or generator that will kick in when it’s needed.
• It’s also a wise idea to keep instructions for this equipment handy, in case someone else needs to help your family member.
• Keep a list of all necessary medications available for someone else to read, in case you are unavailable to help.

Remember, there is no better time than now to prepare yourself and your loved ones for an emergency.

Please have a look through our government’s emergency preparedness website for more information and give us a shout if you have any questions about supplies!

 -Content created by Sophie Wooding – Writer, gardener, cyclist and emergency preparedness enthusiast!