If you have recently moved to this area, take the time to find out what types of natural emergencies have occurred in the past, and what types might be expected.

Find out what, if any, time of the year these emergencies are more prevalent.

Find out when you should evacuate, and when you shouldn’t.

Your local Red Cross, local law enforcement agencies, local news, and radio stations usually provide excellent information and tips for planning.

One of the most important pieces of information you should know is the location of the closet emergency shelter.

These shelters are opened to the public during voluntary and mandatory evaluation times. They are usually the safest place for you to go, other than a friend or relative’s home in an unaffected area.

If you are going to a shelter, there will be restrictions on what items you can bring with you.  Not all shelters have adequate storage facilities for medication that need refrigeration.

We recommend that you call ahead and find out which shelter in your area will let you bring your medication and medical supplies, in addition, let them know if you will be using medical equipment that requires an electrical outlet.

During our planning for a natural emergency, we will contact you and deliver, if possible, at least one week’s worth of medication and supplies. Bring all your medications and supplies with you to the shelter.

How do you reach us during a natural emergency if the phone lines don’t work? How would you contact us? If there is warning of an emergency, such as a hurricane watch, we will make every attempt to contact you and provide you with the number of our cellular phone. (Cellular phones frequently work even when the regular land phone lines do not.)

If you have no way to call our cellular phone, you try the to reach us by having someone you know call us from his or her cellular phone. (Many times cellular phone companies set up communication centers during natural disasters. If one is set up in your area, you can ask them to contact us.)

If the emergency was unforeseen, we will try to locate you by visiting your home, or by contacting your home nursing agency. If travel is restricted due to damage from the emergency, we will try to contact you through local law enforcement agencies.

We would much rather prepare you for an emergency ahead of time than wait until it has happened and then send you the supplies you need.

To do this, we need you to give us as much information as possible before the emergency. We may ask you for the name and phone number of a close family member, or a close friend or neighbor. We may ask you where you will go if an emergency occurs. Will you go to a shelter, or a relative’s home? If your doctor has instructed you to go a hospital, which one is it?

Having the address of your evacuation site, if it is in another city, may allow us to service your therapy needs through another company.

• Get a cooler and ice or freezer gel- pack to transport your medication.
• Get all of your medication information and teaching modules together and take them with you if you evacuate.
• Pack one week’s worth of supplies in a plastic-lined box or waterproof tote bag or tote box. Make sure the seal is watertight.
• Make sure to put antibacterial soap and paper towels into your supplies kit.
• If possible, get waterless hand disinfectant from K.C’s Medical Home Care Supplies, Inc. or from a local store. It comes in very handy if you don’t have running water.
• If you are going to a friend or relative’s home during evacuation, leave their phone number and address with K.C’s Medical Home Care Supplies, inc. and home nursing agency.
• When you return to your home contact your nursing agency and K.C’s Medical Home Care Supplies, Inc. so we can visit and see what supplies you need.

There is much more to know about planning for and surviving during a natural emergency or disaster.

To be ready for an emergency, contact your local American Red Cross or Emergency Management Service agency.

During any emergency situation, if you are unable to contact our company and you are in need of your prescribed medication, equipment or supplies, you must go to the nearest emergency room or other treatment facility for treatment.

• Smoke detectors should be installed in your home. Make sure you check the batteries at least once a year.
• If appropriate, you may consider carbon monoxide detectors as well. Ask your local fire department if you should have one in your home.
• Have a fire extinguisher in your home, and have it tested regularly to make sure it is still charged and in working order.
• Have a plan for escape in the event of a fire. Discuss this plan with your family.
• If you use oxygen in your home, make sure you understand the hazards of smoking near oxygen. Review the precautions. If you aren’t sure, ask us what they are K.C.’s Medical Supply .
• If you are using electrical medical equipment, make sure to review the instruction sheets for that equipment. Read the section on electrical safety.

• Make sure that all medical equipment is plugged into a properly grounded electrical outlet.
• If you have to use a three-prong adapter, make sure it is properly installed by attaching the ground wire to the plug outlet screw.
• Use only good quality outlet “extenders” or “power strips” with internal Circuit breakers. Don’t use cheap extensions cords.

Because of the smooth surfaces, the bathroom can be a very dangerous place, especially for persons who are unsteady.

• Use non-slip rugs on the floor to prevent slipping.
• Install a grab-bar on the shower wall, and non-slip footing strips inside the tub or shower.
• Ask your medical equipment provider, K.C.’s Medical Supply about a shower bench you can sit on in the shower.
• If you have difficulty sitting and getting gup, ask about a raised toilet seat with arm supports to make it easier to get on and off the commode.
• If you have problems sensing hot and cold, you should consider lowering the temperature setting of your water heater so you don’t accidentally scald yourself without realizing it. You should not attempt to adjust the water heater yourself, contact a licensed company/individual to do this for you.

It’s important to arrange a safe, well-planned and comfortable bedroom since a lot of your recuperation and home therapy may occur there.

• Ask your home medical provider, K.C.’s Medical Supply about a hospital bed. These beds raise and lower so you can sit up, recline, and adjust your knees. A variety of tables and supports are also available so you can eat, exercise, and read in bed.
• Bed rails may be a good idea, especially if you have a tendency to roll in bed at night.
• If you have difficulty walking, inquire about a bedside commode so you don’t have to walk to the bathroom to use the toilet.
• Make sure you can easily reach the light switches, and other important things you might need through the day or night.
• Install night-lights to help you find your way in the dark at night.
• If you are using an IV pole for your IV or enteral therapy, make sure that all furniture, loose carpets, and electrical cords are out of the way so you do not trip and fall while walking with the pole.

Your kitchen should be organized so you can easily reach and use the common items, especially during your recuperation while you are still a bit weak:

• Have a friend or health care worker remove all common small appliances and utensils from cabinets, and place them on your counters where you can easily use them.
• Have a chair brought into the kitchen to the counter work area if you have difficulty standing.
• Make sure you are careful lifting pots and pans. Not only might they be hot, but they can be heavy as well. Use padded mitts to firmly grasp pans and pots on both sides.
• Ask your kitchen or hardware store about utensils for manually impaired or arthritic persons, including:
• Basic electric can openers
• Bottle and jar openers
• Large-handled utensils
• When working at your stove, be very careful that intravenous, tube feeding, or oxygen tubing DO NOT hang over the heat. They can be flammable.

If you are now using assistant devices for ambulating (walking), here are some key points:

• Install permanent or temporary guardrails on stairs to give you additional support if you are using a cane or are unsteady.
• If you are using a walker, make sure that furniture and walkways are arranged to give you enough room.
• If you are using a walker or wheelchair, you may need a ramp for getting into or out of your home. Ramps can be purchased ready-made, or may be constructed for you. Talk to your home medical equipment provider, K.C.’s Medical Supply, and available options.

In case of emergency, contact: Fire, Police, Ambulance: 911

• Have important phone numbers posted by the phone, for instance,
• Hospital
• Doctor
• K.C.’s Medical Home Care Supplies, Inc. 770-716-7678
• Contact Us