Division of Mental Health/Division of Behavioral Health
Disaster Preparedness and Response
Special Needs
As you make your preparations, keep in mind that certain groups, such as children, the elderly and disabled, and pets are more at risk. Remember to think ahead about prescription medication and sanitation.
Children
Remember to include children when making disaster preparations. They can have an assigned part in the Family Disaster Plan, be taught to recognize danger signals (such as community warning systems), and memorize important family information and an emergency meeting place.
Take the following steps:
- Tell your children that after a disaster the family will get together again but that it may take from three days to two weeks.
- Educate them on the difference between entertainment (generally exaggerated for special effects) and reality.
- Give them "disaster buddies" (stuffed animals) they can talk to afterwards.
- Check with schools and day care about disaster policies and procedures.
- Work with schools and day care to make sure they conduct proper disaster drills.
- Make plans for someone to pick up children at school or day care if you are unable to do so.
Your child can have a personal kit kept at the foot of the bed or with the family kit:
- Extra clothes and shoes—keep a sturdy pair upside down under the bed
- Mittens, scarf, jacket
- Disaster buddy
- Books and games
- Comfort food
- Flashlight with spare batteries, or light stick
- Whistle
- Paper with home address, phone number, parents' names, plus an emergency contact number
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
- Comb, brush
Make sure you have the following for any infants:
- Formula
- Bottles
- Medications
- Diapers
- Powdered milk
During a disaster, children look to the adults for help. How you react gives them clues how to react. As an adult, you need to keep control of the situation. Immediately after the disaster, try to reduce your child's fear and anxiety.
Keep the family together. Make the children part of whatever you are doing. They worry that their parents won't return.
Calmly and firmly explain the situation. Tell them what you know about the disaster and explain what will happen next. Get down to their eye level and talk to them.
Encourage children to talk and ask questions and describe what they are feeling. Listen to what they say and remember to take their feelings seriously.
Include children in recovery activities. Give them their own responsibilities.
Be aware that after a disaster, children are most afraid that:
- The event will happen again.
- Someone will be killed or injured.
- They will be separated from the family.
- They will be left alone.
- After the disaster, children are reassured by the household getting back to its normal routine. Maintain control, be understanding but firm, make decisions for them. Avoid inactivity.
Seniors and People with Activity Limitations
For those with impaired mobility, evacuating during a disaster may be difficult. Debris may block exits and elevators may not work. To prepare and make sure you can evacuate after a disaster:
- Let neighbors know you may have trouble getting out.
- Clear a path.
- Find alternate routes.
- Secure heavy objects, such as bookcases, which might block your path.
- If you are in a wheelchair, practice locking the wheels and covering your head with your arms.
After an disaster:
If you are trapped, do anything to attract
attention. If you've previously asked your neighbors, they will
be looking for you. If you need help, ask. For the hearing impaired,
the biggest threat is after the quake, when communicating might
be difficult. To help with this:
- Make sure you have a flashlight, paper, and pencil next to your bed.
- Ask a neighbor to be a source of emergency information as it comes over his radio.
- Remind neighbors and co-workers that you cannot hear an evacuation order.
- Store extra hearing aid batteries at home and at work or school.
- If you are trapped, knock on doors or hit objects together to
let others know you are there. Have others give you disaster information
as it comes over the radio. For those who are vision impaired, keep
in mind that your usual surroundings may be disrupted, exits may
be blocked, and seeing-eye dogs might be too injured or frightened
to be relied upon. To help prepare:
- Keep an extra cane at home and at work or school.
- Know alternate escape routes.
- Talk with a neighbor beforehand.
- If you hear falling objects, there will probably be obstructions. Ask others for help. Use your cane. If you are trapped, make noise to alert others. If the electricity fails and it is dark, you may be able to assist others in finding their way.
Prescription Medication
Prescription medication is an important item to include in your preparations. Make sure you have two weeks worth of medication on hand at all times. Remember:
- Heart and high blood pressure medications
- Insulin
- Denture needs
- Contact lenses and supplies; extra eyeglasses
- Prescription medication
- Toilets & Sanitation
There may not be running water, and the toilets may not be working. Make sure you have the following on hand:
- Toilet paper
- Towelettes
- Feminine supplies
- Plastic garbage bags, ties
- Plastic bucket with tight lid
- Household chlorine bleach
- Soap, liquid detergent
- Personal hygiene items
- Disinfectant
During disasters, sewage systems may not be functioning. During
these times it may be necessary to create temporary solutions for
collecting human waste. Line the inside of a toilet bowl or large
pail with heavy-duty plastic garbage bags. Place cat litter, fireplace
ashes, or sawdust at the bottom of each bag. Securely tie and remove
the bag each night to a protected location such as the basement.
Do not bury waste.
 Colorado
Division of Mental Health 3824 W. Princeton
Circle, Denver, CO 80236 Tel: 303.866.7400 Fax:
303.866.7428 |
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