• Plan to make it on your own for at least seven days. You may not have access to a medical facility, pharmacy, or grocery store.

• Think about the resources you use daily and what you would do if they were not available.

• Create your emergency supplies kit.

• Identify local shelters or consider friends and family outside your immediate area with whom you could stay.

• If you have a pet, find out if local shelters or family are willing to accept the pet. If not, plan what you would do with the pet if you need to evacuate.

Create a Support Network

• Talk to family, friends, and others who may be able to help.

• Neighbours helping neighbours is important in an emergency. Make sure you know your neighbours. Introduce yourself and let them know any specific needs you may have.

• Share your emergency plan with everyone in your support network.

• Make sure everyone knows your evacuation plan and where you will go during a disaster.

• Practice your plan with those who have agreed to help you.

• Give an extra key to your home to someone in your support network.

Medications and Medical Supplies

• Make sure medical equipment, such as a cane or wheelchair, is clearly labeled with your name and contact information.

• Keep a list of your medications, dosage, physician, and pharmacy information.

• Be sure to include your eyeglasses, hearing aid and batteries, wheelchair batteries, and oxygen in your emergency supplies kit.

• If you use a battery-powered wheelchair, consider keeping your old un-powered chair for emergency use.

Keep Important Documents Together

• Include copies of important documents in your emergency supplies kit, such as medical records, wills, deeds, social security number, charge and bank account information, and tax records.

• Keep this information in a place that is secure, yet readily accessible if you need to get it in a hurry.

• Have copies of your medical insurance and Medicare cards available. Include a list of emergency contact numbers.

• If you have any disabilities, especially communication issues, be sure to include a list of them in you emergency information.