Special Populations - Children, Seniors, Disabled, and Pets

Children

Children can be especially sensitive to the emotional stress of an emergency. Parents can help prepare children by including them in the planning process and answering their questions about safety. Make sure your children take part in your preparation process and ensure that you have included supplies that make them feel comfortable and safe.

Remember:

School or Day Care
- Know your child's school or day care emergency plan.
- Find out where children will be taken in the event of an evacuation during school hours.
- Keep your contact information up-to-date at your child's school.
- Authorize a friend or relative to pick up your children in an emergency and let the school know who that designated person is.
- Put your child's emergency plan card on file at his or her school.

Teach your children...
- Their basic contact information.
- How to dial your home telephone number and important cell phone numbers.
- How and when to call 911. Role-play 911 calls with them.
- What to do if a parent becomes ill and the child is alone.
- How to reach an "out-of-area" family contact.
- What natural gas smells like and what they should do if they smell it.
- Basic emergency response plans, such as your family evacuation plan and Stop, Drop, & Roll, and practice them together.

Additions to the Emergency Kit and Go Bag
- Toys and games
- A recent family photograph
- Comfort foods and treats

For Additional Information:

seniors

Seniors/Disabled

During an emergency, seniors and those with a disability may have special needs that must be considered when creating a household plan and emergency kit.

Remember:

<li class="text">Mobility</li>
<ul>
<li type="circle" class="text">If you or a family member have difficulty moving quickly and easily,
make sure your neighbors are aware and that you have someone who can check in during an emergency.
</li>
<li type="circle" class="text"> Develop a support network with several people
who will continue to follow up with you following an emergency.</li>
</ul>
 
<li class="text">Medication & Medical Supplies</li>
<ul>
<li type="circle" class="text">Keep a separate supply of at least 7 days worth of any medication or
critical medical supplies, such as oxygen.</li>
<li type="circle" class="text">If you rely on electric medical equipment, such as wheelchairs,
ventilators and oxygen compressors, talk to your medical supply company
about getting batteries or a generator as a back up power source.</li>
</ul> 

<li class="text">Care</li>
<ul>
<li type="circle" class="text">During an emergency, personal care attendants may not be able
to make it to their patients. Make sure you have made arrangements with caregivers
and/or are familiar with your personal care agencies emergency policy</li>
<li type="circle" class="text">If you have a service animal, make sure that it has a registered tag.</li>
</ul> 

<li class="text">Additions to the <a href="ready.jsp?content=emergencyKit">Emergency Kit</a> and
<a href="ready.jsp?content=goBag">Go Bag:</a></li>
<ul>
<li type="circle" class="text">Extra mobility aids, including a manual wheelchair
(Car batteries may be used to run an electric wheelchair) </li>
<li type="circle" class="text">A whistle to signal for help</li>
<li type="circle" class="text">Necessary medications and supplies</li>
<li type="circle" class="text">Special sanitary needs</li>
<li type="circle" class="text">Important medical phone numbers</li>
<li type="circle" class="text">Food that meets specialized dietary needs</li>
<li type="circle" class="text">Make a list of your medications, medical conditions, insurance information, allergies, and have your insurance cards available. Keep one copy with you at all times, and give the other copy to someone else for safekeeping.
</li></ul>


For Additional Information:

<ul>
<li class="text"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/senior.html">Chicago Family & Support Services - Senior Services</a></li>
<li class="text"><a target="_blank" href="/city/en/depts/mopd.html">Mayor's Office for People with
Disabilities (MOPD)</a></li>
</ul>

Remember:

Mobility
- If you or a family member have difficulty moving quickly and easily, make sure your neighbors are aware and that you have someone who can check in during an emergency.
- Develop a support network with several people who will continue to follow up with you following an emergency.

Medication & Medical Supplies
- Keep a separate supply of at least 7 days worth of any medication or critical medical supplies, such as oxygen.
- If you rely on electric medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, ventilators and oxygen compressors, talk to your medical supply company about getting batteries or a generator as a back up power source.

Care
- During an emergency, personal care attendants may not be able to make it to their patients. Make sure you have made arrangements with caregivers and/or are familiar with your personal care agencies emergency policy
- If you have a service animal, make sure that it has a registered tag.

Additions to the Emergency Kit and Go Bag
- Extra mobility aids, including a manual wheelchair (Car batteries may be used to run an electric wheelchair)
- A whistle to signal for help
- Necessary medications and supplies
- Special sanitary needs
- Important medical phone numbers
- Food that meets specialized dietary needs
- Make a list of your medications, medical conditions, insurance information, allergies, and have your insurance cards available. Keep one copy with you at all times, and give the other copy to someone else for safekeeping.

For Additional Information:

Animals

Pets

Pets are often full-fledged family members, and any family emergency plan must include them to be truly complete. Many shelters will not permit animals (with the exception of registered service animals), so it is especially important that you have a plan for your pets in case of an evacuation.

Remember:

Make sure your pets all have licenses and ID tags.
Ask local shelters and animal clinics if they provide emergency foster care.
Arrange with neighbors to care for your pets if an emergency occurs while you are away from your home and cannot return.
Know your pets' hiding places so you can find them easily if you need to evacuate.
Transport pets in carriers or on leashes during an emergency; this makes them feel more secure.
Additions to the Emergency Kit and Go Bag
- A recent photo of your pets in case they get lost
- Sturdy leashes and/or carriers
- Pet food, water, and bowls
- Cat litter and box
- Pet toys
- Contact information for a veterinarian
- Medical information and records
- Any necessary medication
- Plastic bags for clean-up

For Additional Information:

Anti-Cruelty Society

Supporting Information Facts

Department:

Additional Information

Remember:

Make sure your pets all have licenses and ID tags.
Ask local shelters and animal clinics if they provide emergency foster care.
Arrange with neighbors to care for your pets if an emergency occurs while you are away from your home and cannot return.
Know your pets' hiding places so you can find them easily if you need to evacuate.
Transport pets in carriers or on leashes during an emergency; this makes them feel more secure.
Additions to the Emergency Kit and Go Bag:
- A recent photo of your pets in case they get lost
- Sturdy leashes and/or carriers
- Pet food, water, and bowls
- Cat litter and box Pet toys
- Contact information for a veterinarian
- Medical information and records
- Any necessary medication
- Plastic bags for clean-up