CENTRAL REGION INC
Disabled? Are You Disaster Ready?
In view of the recent natural disasters both in New Zealand and around the world are you prepared?
Do you have the ability despite any disability you have to be able to care for yourself for three days as
Civil defence recommend?
A simple plan regardless of how dependent you are can mean the difference between survival or not.
Knowing that family members will be on their way to rescue you after a disaster is very reassuring but,
according to Civil Defence we need to plan to be alone for perhaps three to five days. Carers from
agencies will not be coming in as they will be tending to their own families and may not be able to get
to you because the streets may not be passable.
Where then to begin? Firstly get to know your neighbours and let them know the difficulties you have
because of your disability (cannot walk without your stick or walker, or perhaps cannot stand up
unsupported). We often do not know our immediate neighbours today because many people go to
work. However if this is so with your immediate neighbours, get to know people within a few doors so
that if there is a disaster someone knows that you are unable to care for yourself without help.
Devising a plan that will assist you and reduce the fear of being alone is not as difficult as it may seem
and if you prepare now and follow some simple routines you will be ready in a disaster and events will
have a better chance of flowing smoothly for you should you find yourself alone for any length of time
until help arrives.
If disaster strikes during the day there is more chance of escape from your home but, get used to
keeping a few things within reach of your bed should a disaster happen during the dark hours and you
cannot leave you bedroom. In a drawer by your bed or a box just slid under the bed. You can buy
some pretty plastic boxes now that co-ordinate with your decor so that these items that may save your
life will not be a burden or an eyesore and tempt you to put them away from reach.
We can survive a long time without food but not without water. As part of your daily routine or that
of your Carer place a capped bottle of clean drinking water beside your bed.
Always keep medication for a week in close range of your bed. A few muesli bars or barley sugar
may stave off the hunger and keep you satisfied. A working telephone. Ideally, purchase a wind up
radio/torch which does not rely on batteries or electricity to run so you can hear what is going on with
regard to the disaster. Failing that a battery operated torch and a battery operated radio with at least
one spare set of batteries for each.
A whistle is a very useful tool to let people passing by know that you are near but trapped and being a
shrill sound may be easier heard than your voice.
Keep a spare set of clothes that are easy to put on near your bed as well as comfortable shoes or
slippers with hard soles (you may have to negotiate broken glass from windows or ornaments). A small
first aid kit will deal with any minor disasters.
A couple of extra blankets very close to you will not only keep you warm but can be used to carry you
in a rescue if you cannot walk.
Finally for your own comfort a bucket or receptacle with a lid or plastic bag and a toilet roll should you
need to empty your bladder or bowel and can’t get to the toilet.
We can’t plan for every eventuality but some preparation will help us to survive. So to recap on
the items you may need:
Within Reach of your Bed
Water
(changed daily)
Phone
Torch /Radio (if not wind-up two sets of spare batteries)
Medication for a week
Whistle
Muesli Bars or snack food
Extra blankets
Bucket & Toilet roll
First Aid Kit
Shoes & Clothing
For 3 Days and more if needed
Water,
3 litres per day
per person for
drinking
Food ,Tinned (preferably
tins that don’t need opener)
Personal Documents - Place them
in a in a plastic bag and put them in an
easily accessible safe place.
(Your fridge if you don’t have a safe.)
Cooker
Get to know your neighbours.
Have a plan for your neighbours and
family. Check on your neighbours;
they may be more in need than you.
Stay in your home if it’s safe.
If you evacuate to a local Welfare
Centre or anywhere else leave a note
in your letter box.
Lighting