Are You Prepared to Grab and Go?

Who could forget Hurricane Harvey? Despite warnings, most of us were not prepared for the flooding that occurred in the aftermath. Many families with children with disabilities or special health care needs were forced to relocate. Many arrived without their medications and medical supplies.

Are you prepared for an emergency?

The Texas Dept. of State Health Services has a lot of great information on their website: texasprepares.org.

• They recommend making a plan http://www.texasprepares.org/English/Family.htm in advance.
• Be sure to plan for family members who are elderly http://www.texasprepares.org/English/family_elders.shtml, young http://www.texasprepares.org/English/family_children.shtml, or have disabilities or special health care needs http://www.texasprepares.org/English/family_special.shtml.  
• Designate someone to be in charge of caring for the person needing extra help.

Sit down with your family and decide how you will contact one another. Where will you go? What will you do in an emergency? This Emergency Plan Form is a great tool.

Have you thought about packing a Grab & Go bag? These bags are great if you need to run at a moment’s notice. Keep these tips in mind as you pack your bags:

• Prepare a bag for each family member.
• Keep each bag lightweight and portable. A backpack is ideal.
• Store bags together where you can grab them on your way out the door.

If your child has special items that provide comfort (weighted blanket, headphones, etc.), be sure to have extras stored in the bag. Include extra diapers and wipes. Think about formula and special dietary items.

Place important paperwork in a waterproof bag or upload it to the cloud. Include copies of:

• Birth certificates
• Driver’s licenses
• Social Security cards
• Medicare or Medicaid cards
• Insurance cards
• Something with proof of address
• Important medical records
• Alternative communication device (in case of loss of electricity) – Print out the Emergency Communication 4All template from Temple University. Or print some from Boardmaker.

Make a copy of your child’s evaluations or upload to the cloud - IEP, IFSP, IPC or IPE.  If you must relocate, this paperwork will make it easier to move to a new school, ECI program, local authority, or provider.

Bottled water is essential. Granola or energy bars are great. Take along any snacks that you and your child would like. You may need a little cash. Take small bills and rolls of quarters for vending machines.

Other items to include:

·      A copy of the emergency plan form

·      A list of medications with RX numbers and a minimum three-day supply. Remember to change these out occasionally

·      Clothing for two to three days—including clothing you can layer and rain clothes

·      Medical equipment, such as a portable oxygen tank

• Extra eyeglasses
• A first aid kit
• Phone charger plus a portable battery pack (in case you don’t have power)
• LED flashlight
• Radio with extra batteries

• A multipurpose tool with a knife and a can opener (adults only)

Being prepared can make the situation less stressful and ensure the safety of your entire family. Learn more about emergency preparedness and making a plan.