Disaster Preparedness

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Disaster Preparedness ELDERAFFAIRS.STATE.FL.US DISASTER PREPAREDNESS GUIDE FOR ELDERS Anniversary MAY/JUNE 2012 ELDER UPDATE — SPECIAL EDITION VOLUME 23, NUMBER 3 Whatever your circumstances, each Secretary’s family or household needs to have a Hurricane Prep Includes Learning Message plan to protect itself during a disas- ter. This plan should include what to Avoid Frauds and Scams Secretary you will do and where you will go in Chuck Corley case of evacuation. As part of your fraud. Together with my office, the Department of Elder Affairs plan, organize a disaster prepared- Department of Financial Services ness kit to sustain you and your fam- Message from and the Department of Business Living in a coastal state, we are ily for seven days. Most importantly, Governor and Professional Regulation, as faced with certain risks for natural discuss your plan with your fam- Rick Scott well as the Office of the Attorney disasters and other emergencies for ily, friends, and neighbors. Keeping General, all stand ready to protect which we must always be prepared. your loved ones informed allows for you from fraud after a hurricane or While we hope for the best at all consistency and prevents confusion other emergency. times, it would be irresponsible not should an emergency arise. Should to have an emergency plan for when a disaster occur, the plan you have As hurricane season begins, all Following Hurricane Andrew, the those emergencies do occur. in place will help protect you from Floridians must be prepared for State of Florida put into law mea- further distress. potential emergencies and have a sures to prohibit price-gouging Many different types of disasters plan of action. Experts are predict- after a declared state of emer- can force people to evacuate their Many seniors have specific medi- ing a busy season this year, and gency. The law bans unconscio- homes, and proper and timely evac- cal needs that must be considered. while we cannot foresee which of nable prices in the rental or sale uation can be the difference between Make sure to have a list of all of these storms might impact Florida, of essential commodities such as life and death. While it may be dif- your medications, a generous sup- you can be certain that I am ready lumber, ice, water, chemicals, gen- ficult to leave your home, your sup- ply to hold you over, and a plan for to respond to any emergencies that erators, and other necessary goods port network, and your friends, it refilling prescriptions as needed. affect our state’s residents. and services following a disaster. could be even worse to ignore the During a declared emergency, to warnings of emergency officials and Safeguarding important documents This Disaster Preparedness Guide report price-gouging, call the Flor- stay behind. such as your identification, Social for Elders is filled with helpful ida Attorney General’s hotline at Security card, insurance documents information and valuable tips to 1-866-966-7226. According to Florida law, individu- and policies, and emergency contact help you and your loved ones pre- als with special needs are eligible for information is also critical during an pare for and recover from weath- When you need to make repairs, evacuation assistance should they emergency. And don’t forget to have er-related and other emergencies. make sure to hire licensed, repu- need it. If you have special needs, a plan for your pets. Including your Having an emergency plan in table, and preferably local service and family or friends are not avail- pets in your emergency plan will place will help you and your fam- workers. You should also avoid able to help you, you may qualify for allow you to avoid the dangers asso- ily when a disaster strikes. contractors or appraisers who say assistance services. Register with ciated with staying behind during an they can adjust your insurance your local emergency management evacuation. It is also important in the after- claim. You can verify a contractor’s agency before disaster strikes. math of an emergency to remain Florida is home to more than 4.45 aware of potential scams in order million seniors age 60 and older, and to prevent becoming a victim of continued on page 3 May/June 2012 approximately one in four of them suffers some physical impairment. It is critical that as good neighbors, continued on page 3 Like us on Facebook Preparations Special Needs Registry, Planning for Prescription Elder Resources ..........................................23 Hurricane Watches & Warnings .........................2 Medication Refills ............................................ 14 DISASTER CONTACT INFORMATION Manufactured Homes, Hurricane Facts ..............3 During a Disaster Government & Voluntary Agencies, Insurance: What You Need to Know, Hazardous Materials Incidents ......................... 15 Special Needs Registries. ................................. 24 Flood Insurance...............................................4-5 Staying Safe During Severe Weather, Tornadoes, Lightning Strikes ...........................6-7 Protect Yourself from Home Repair Fraud ........ 16 Prevent Home Fires ............................................8 Extreme Temperatures .................................... 17 Disaster Preparedness for Elders Safety Tips for Motorists During Emergencies .. 18 with Hearing Loss .............................................9 Disaster Recovery Caring for Your Pet During a Disaster ............... 10 Disaster Recovery Assistance for Seniors, Emergency Contact Info ................................... 11 Re-entering Your Flooded Home ...................... 19 DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT Keeping Safe After a Disaster ...........................20 Page 12 How to Assemble a Kit, FEMA - Frequently Asked Questions ................. 21 Disaster Kit Checklist ....................................12-13 FEMA Application Process, Disaster Recovery Centers ................................22 FEATURE SPECIAL EDITION 2012 2 PRepaRations: HURRICanes Elder Update Hurricane Watches and Warnings (USPS 403-710/ISSN 1060-4545) Basic steps to prepare • Stay tuned to radio or television for • Evacuate as early as possible to weather updates. avoid congestion on roads and Elder Update is a bimonthly publication • Learn about your community’s highways. mailed in state to Florida residents at emergency plans, warning signals, • Listen for disaster sirens and warn- no cost to recipients. Out of state, Elder evacuation routes and locations of ing signals. • Follow the designated evacuation Update can be accessed at routes – others may be blocked – http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us. emergency shelters. • Check your car for your emergency kit. and expect heavy traffic. • Identify potential home hazards • Notify your family and friends that • Secure any outside items that may and know how to secure or protect you are evacuating, where you are damage property in a storm, such Rick Scott them before the hurricane strikes. going, and how you can be reached. Governor Be prepared to turn off electrical as bicycles, grills, propane tanks, power when there is standing water patio furniture, etc. • If you are told to evacuate and have Jennifer Carroll a pet, the best choice for pets and Lieutenant Governor or a fallen power line, or before • Cover windows and doors with ply- you evacuate. Turn off gas and owners is to stay with pet-friend- Charles T. Corley wood or boards, or install hurricane ly friends or relatives in a loca- Secretary water supplies before you evacuate. shutters on windows. Ashley Marshall Secure structurally unstable build- tion outside the evacuation area. If Communications Director ing materials. • Put livestock in a safe area. Because this is not possible, the next choice Shannon Knowles of food and sanitation requirements, should be to find a pet-friendly Editor-in-Chief • Buy a fire extinguisher and make some emergency shelters cannot motel or hotel outside the evacua- Liz Jameson sure your family knows where to accept animals (see page 15). tion area. Lastly, try to find a pet- Editor find it and how to use it. • Place vehicles under cover, if at all friendly shelter (see pg. 15). Haven Capone • Locate and secure your important Layout & Graphic Design possible. papers, such as insurance policies, If ordered NOT to evacuate Fran Brooks wills, licenses, stocks, etc. • Fill cleaned and disinfected sinks Bureau Chief - Human Resources, General and bathtubs with water as an extra The great majority of injuries during Services and Emergency Operations & • Post emergency phone numbers at Disaster Preparedness supply for washing. a hurricane are cuts caused by flying every phone. glass or other debris. Other injuries Pamela Damitz • Store ice in coolers or in the tub of Emergency Coordinating Officer • Inform local authorities about any include puncture wounds resulting your washing machine (it is insulat- from exposed nails, metal or glass, special needs, i.e., elderly or bed- ed and has a built-in drain). ridden individuals or anyone with a and bone fractures. • Adjust the thermostat on refrigera- disability. To get through the storm in the safest Elder Update welcomes submissions tors and freezers to the coolest pos- possible manner, do the following: from readers. However, due Prepare disaster supply kits sible temperature. to the volume of submissions, • Monitor the radio (preferably on a acknowledgements cannot be mailed. Stock your home, car, and workplace When a hurricane warning is issued: NOAA weather radio) or television Articles selected for publication with supplies that may
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