Seniors: prep

lergencies

A WIDESPREAD power failure
affects thousands of residents dur-
ing a spell of record-low cold
temperatures. If you are a senior,
would you have been prepared for
such an emergency?

Aside from power failures,
Emergency Preparedness Canada
(EPC), the agency responsible for
co-ordinating federal civil
emergency planning has calculated
that more than 60 types of
emergencies can and do happen in
Canada. The one common
denominator in all these emergen-
cies is that the first line of defence
is always the individual and
seniors are no exception.

Senioss are an independent, re-
sourceful group, who, to a large
extent, can look after themselves.
In fact, according to Statistics
Canada, 91 per cent of the 2.4
million Canadians aged 65 or over
live at home. This is not to deny
that some seniors do have handi-
caps and need special help, but no
more than other segments of our
population such as the visually or
hearing impaired, the develop-
mentally handicapped or those
with severe physical disabilities.

The key to emergency
preparedness for seniors is to en-
sure that they have a voice in
identifying their own needs and
play a part in planning the ser-
vices needed to cater to those
needs. Emergency preparedness
for seniors also calls for com-
munities to be aware of and
responsive to those needs.

Like other Canadians, there are
a number of precautions seniors
can take to ensure their well-being
and to help others in an emergen-

eAlways keep a bat-
tery-powered radio, flashlight and
spare batteries on hand. In many
emergencies, telephone lines and
power may be the first things to
go and a radio will be your only
link with the outside world.

® Make sure that you know how
and where to turn off ' your
utilities (e.g. gas, water, electrici-
ty).

eIf you use medication (or
specialized medical equipment
(e.g. inhalers, eyeglasses, hearing
aid batteries, etc.) make sure you
have an extra supply on hand at
all times.

« Always keep on hand an
emergency survival kit containing
food, sleeping bags, medication,
first-aid kit and bottled water.
Rotate food and water to ensure
freshness.

© Keep a list of emergency tele-
phone numbers (e.g. fire, police,
ambulance, poison control, etc.)
posted in a prominent place.

© Take a first-aid course either
through the Red Cross or St. John
Ambulance.

@ If you ever have to evacuate
your home make sure you have an
evacuation kit containing a
flashlight, radio and_ batteries,
important papers, identification
and cash, medication, mobility
aids, clothes, sleeping bag and
food.

© In an emergency use the tele-
phone only if absolutely neces-

The Responsibility is YOU'S.

1-800-663-1441

Everyone
should follow
these steps

sary. Chances are emergency
crews will need all available lines.

if you live on your own:

© Get to know your neighbors.
Explain that in an emergency you
may not be able to get out of your
house or attend to your medical
needs.

© Get someone to check on you
during an emergency. Ideally you
should make these arrangements
with more than one neighbor so
that there is always someone
available, night or day, to check

25% off

on you should an emergency oc-
cur.

elf you are still working or if
you do some form of volunteer
work, familiarize yourself with
your employer's or your volunteer
agency’s emergency plan. Make
arrangements with co-workers for
any special help you may need.

e{f you have impaired mobili-
ty, hearing or vision the above
advice is doubly important.

Seniors who weuld like more
self-help advice on what to do to
prepare for emergencies, or who
would like to play a more active
part in community emergency
planning are advised to contact
their provincial emergency
measures organization or
municipal emergency planning of-
ficer for further information.

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: Corner of Lloyd & Marine

Friday. 4 January 18, 1991 — North Shore News - 45

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