Preparation
Step 1: discuss the effects an emergency situation will have on you.
- During an emergency, the emergency responders will prioritize aiding those who need it most. Therefore, ensure you have an emergency reserve at home.
- Assess what the possible effects may be on you. Especially when required to leave your accommodation quickly, in case of a fire for example. Consider that one must leave their accommodation within 3 to 10 minutes.
- Discuss with your family or roommates what you may require and where you can go when having to leave your accommodation. Also, set up an emergency plan.
Step 2: build a support network
- Check who can help you during an emergency
- Know your neighbours, and exchange contact details. This will make sure you can reach it other if needed.
- Discuss how to contact others, also when during an emergency the internet of phones fail to work.
- Research whether you need special detectors. Think for instance about smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors linked to your neighbors’, or lifestyle sensors connected to informal care institutions.
Step 3: An emergency supplies
During an emergency situation shops and roads may be closed down. Ensure you have an emergency supply at home with medication, and necessities. Keep in mind that:
- If medication must be kept cold or refrigerated. A back-up for the refrigerator is required.
- Carry a medical tag or card with you, that describes your handicap or health risks.
- What supplies do you need? And what will you take with you if you must leave suddenly?
- When staying in an hotel, and you require extra support during an evacuation, indicate so when checking in.
- Know where to find support when dependant on dialyse devices or other life supporting mechanisms, which may fail during an emergency.
- Are there special dietary requirements or restrictions, ensure you have a food supply for at least three days.
- If you suffer from respiratory diseases, have dust masks at home
Are you deaf or hearing impaired?
- Ensure you can find emergency information.
- Make sure your support network will keep you updated on possible warnings etcetera.
- Have a notebook with writing equipment and a flashlight and batteries at home. This will be a means of communication.
- Possibly install warning systems equipped with alarms, or flashing lights that will catch your attention. For more information see hoorwijzer.nl and doof.nl
Are you blind or visually impaired?
- You may be dependent on others if there is an incident or a need to evacuate. Talk to your household, friends, neighbours, or support network.
- Do you have a guide dog? Make sure you have an emergency reserve of dog food. Also, ensure you know where their vaccination passport is and their leash.
- Take care of extra walking sticks for at home and at work. Even with a guide dog. As they may get confused or disoriented during an emergency.
Are you in a wheelchair or physically restricted?
- You may be dependent on others if there is an incident or a need to evacuate. Talk to your household, friends, neighbours, or support network. Discuss your needs and a location if you cannot stay at home.
- Are you in a wheelchair at the time of an earthquake? Make sure you are braking, cover your head and wait for the quake to stop.
- Are you using a walker during an earthquake? Carefully get down as low as possible, lean forward and cover your head. Wait for the earthquake to pass.
Do you have a baby?
- In an emergency situation shop may close. Or electricity may stop working, and water may be inaccessible. Therefore, it is crucial to have an emergency supply of products for your baby, this should be enough for three days. These could include:
- Powder for bottle feeding
- Water
- Single use diapers
- Baby towels
- All medication and crèmes your baby may require
- Disinfectants with alcohol
- Bin bags for dirty diapers
- Single use gloves
- Extra clothing, a blanket or special toys
- Keep the emergency supplies in a bag, so that you can flee rapidly when necessary.
- Is your baby often staying with family or caretakers? Provide an extra emergency supply for those locations too.
Do you have children?
- You can include infants in the emergency planning through giving them small tasks. For example, they can check the dates of water bottles; or test some flashlights.
- Discuss what may occur during an emergency in a fair (but not too severe) way with them. Also highlight what they and you can do to stay safe, even if you are not in the same accommodation as them. The more the children are included, the less scared they will be during an emergency.
Do you have pets?
Your pets are your responsibility, consider them in your emergency plans and preparations. Ensure you have enough feed, water, and necessities for your pet for at least for three days.