Personal Preparedness

Emergencies and disasters often happen without warning, so it is important to prepare before they happen. When you are on dialysis, disasters can make it hard for you to get your treatment because of changes to water, power, sanitation, or transportation. It is important to read and understand your dialysis facility’s disaster plan and to make alternative arrangements for your treatment before and emergency happens.

Helpful Tips to Ensure You are Prepared

Pack an Emergency Kit

• Include medical supplies such as:
  • Five-to-seven–day supply Personal Information Form of all prescription medicines. Check the expiration dates of all of your medications each month. Use and replace the ones that are due to expire.
  • Five-day supply of antibiotics if you are on peritoneal dialysis and it is recommended by your doctor.
  • If you have diabetes, consider adding these items:
    • Glucose meter, one spare battery and testing fluid.
    • Five-to-seven–day supply of blood sugar test strips and lancets.
    • Five-to-seven–day supply of syringes and insulin if you use insulin. (Keep insulin cool but do not freeze it. It is best kept in the refrigerator, but it can be kept at room temperature for up to a month.)
    • Glucose (glucose tablets, Glucagon, oral glucose gel) in case your sugar level drops.
• Included a completed Personal Information Form with a list of people and organizations you will need to reach. Family, household members, caregivers, and friends will want to know where you are. They may even be able to help you safely leave your home, if you need to. Include on your list your nephrologist (kidney doctor) and your dialysis facility. You will need to let them know if you can’t get your treatments.
• Have copies of your identification and medical information:
  • Driver’s license, ID card, and/or US permanent resident card
  • Social Security card
  • Passport
  • Healthcare insurance card
  • Treatment orders
  • Legal documents (i.e., advance directive, do not resuscitate (DNR) order, or medical power of attorney information

 Make a Plan

• Include alternative arrangements for your treatment before an emergency.
• If you get hemodialysis at a dialysis facility:
  • Make sure your dialysis facility has your current street address and phone number(s) in case they need to contact you.
  • Make arrangements for back-up transportation to your dialysis facility.
  • Ask your dialysis facility about other dialysis facilities near you that can treat you if your dialysis facility closes.
• If you perform home hemodialysis:
  • Contact your water and power companies to register for special priority to restore your lost services. Keep their phone numbers up-to-date on your Personal Information Form.
  • Keep a flashlight and batteries near your dialysis machine.
  • Contact your local dialysis facility about back-up treatment locations both near to and far from your home.
• If you use Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD):
  • Keep the battery charged at all times if you use an ultraviolet device. (NOTE: The charge should last for three days.)
  • As directed by your dialysis team, keep a five-to-seven–day supply of peritoneal dialysis supplies at home. Check expiration dates and replace as needed, or every six months.
• If you use Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD):
  • Learn and practice manual CAPD, so if you lose power, you can switch from CCPD to manual CAPD.
  • As directed by your dialysis team, keep a five-to-seven–day supply of CCPD (and CAPD if you have learned to do manual CAPD) supplies available. Check the expiration dates, and replace as needed.
  • Contact your water and power companies ahead of time to register for special priority to restore your lost services. Keep their phone numbers up-to-date on your Personal Information Form.

Stay Informed

There are many ways that authorities share emergency warnings, updates, and safety instructions. Take steps now to make sure you’ll get the information you need when an emergency happens.

 

More Resources:

Emergency Supply List for Individuals living with ESRD

Care to Prepare: Preparing Individuals with ESRD

Finding a dyalisis facility near you:

www.medicare.gov/dialysis

http://www.dialysisunits.com/

Additional resources:

https://www.kcercoalition.com/

 

Get Informed

• Register with Enable Fort Bend,  a registry that assists Fort Bend County departments, such as the Office of Emergency Management and Health & Human Services, plan how to assist people with functional and medical needs in the county during an emergency or natural disaster.
• Know what disasters could affect your area, which could call for an evacuation and when to shelter in place.
• Keep a NOAA Weather Radio tuned to your local emergency station and monitor TV, radio, and follow mobile alert and mobile warnings about severe weather in your area.
• Download the FEMA app, receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States.

Make a Plan

How might a disaster affect you? Could you make it on your own for at least three days? After a disaster, you may not have access to a medical facility or even a drugstore, so it’s crucial to plan for the resources you use regularly, and what you would do if those resources are limited or not available. Additional planning steps should include:

• Create a support network. Keep a contact list in a watertight container in your emergency kit.
• Be ready to explain to first responders that you need to evacuate and choose to go to a shelter with your family, service animal, caregiver, personal assistant, and your assistive technology devices and supplies.
• Plan ahead for accessible transportation that you may need for evacuation or getting to a medical clinic. Work with local services, public transportation or paratransit to identify your local or private accessible transportation options.
• Inform your support network where you keep your emergency supplies; you may want to consider giving one member a key to your house or apartment.
• Contact your city or county government’s emergency management agency or office. Many local offices keep lists of people with disabilities so they can be helped quickly in a sudden emergency.
• If you are dependent on dialysis or other life-sustaining treatment, know the location and availability of more than one facility.
• If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity, talk to your doctor or health care provider about how you can prepare for its use during a power outage.
• Wear medical alert tags or bracelets.
• If you have a communication disability, make sure your emergency information notes the best way to communicate with you.
• If you use an augmentative communications device or other assistive technologies, plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if lost or destroyed.  Keep model information and note where the equipment came from (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, etc.)
• If you use assistive technology devices, such as white canes, CCTV, text-to-speech software, keep information about model numbers and where you purchased the equipment, etc.
• Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working, including laminated cards with phrases, pictures or pictograms.
• Keep Braille/text communication cards, if used, for 2-way communication.
• Preparedness tips for diabetics.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services online tool helps people locate and access their electronic health records from a variety of sources.
• Plan for children with disabilities and people, who may have difficulty in unfamiliar or chaotic environments.

Get your benefits electronically

A disaster can disrupt mail service for days or weeks. If you depend on Social Security or other regular benefits, switching to electronic payments is a simple, significant way to protect yourself financially before disaster strikes. It also eliminates the risk of stolen checks. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recommends two safer ways to get federal benefits:

• Direct deposit to a checking or savings account. Federal benefit recipients can sign up by calling (800) 333-1795 or sign up online
• The Direct Express® prepaid debit card is designed as a safe and easy alternative to paper checks. Call toll-free at (877) 212-9991 or sign up online

Build a Kit

In addition to having your basic survival supplies, an emergency kit should contain items to meet your individual needs in various emergencies. Consider the items you use on a daily basis and which ones you may need to add to your kit.

Tips for People who are deaf or hard of hearing:

• A weather radio with text display and a flashing alert
• Extra hearing-aid batteries
• A TTY
• Pen and paper in case you have to communicate with someone who does not know sign language

Tips for People who are blind or have low vision:

• Mark emergency supplies with Braille labels or large print.  Keep a list of your emergency supplies, and where you bought it, on a portable flash drive, or make an audio file that is kept in a safe place where you can access it.
• Keep a Braille, or Deaf-Blind communications device as part of your emergency supply kit.

Tips for People with Speech Disability:

• If you use an augmentative communications device or other assistive technologies, plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if lost or destroyed.  Keep Model information, where the equipment came from (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, etc.)
• Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working, including laminated cards with phrases and/or pictogram.

Tips for People with a mobility disability:

• If you use a power wheelchair, if possible, have a lightweight manual chair available as a backup. Know the size and weight of your wheelchair in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported.
• Show others how to operate your wheelchair. Know the size and weight of your wheelchair, in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported.
• Purchase an extra battery for a power wheelchair or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices. If you are unable to purchase an extra battery, find out what agencies, organizations, or local charitable groups can help you with the purchase. Keep extra batteries on a trickle charger at all times.
• Consider keeping a patch kit or can of sealant for flat tires and/or extra inner tube if wheelchair or scooter is not puncture proof.
• Keep an extra mobility device such as a cane or walker, if you use one.
• If you use a seat cushion to protect your skin or maintain your balance, and you must evacuate without your wheelchair, take your cushion with you.

Tips for individuals who may need behavioral support:

• Plan for children with disabilities and people including individuals who may have post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), who may have difficulty in unfamiliar or chaotic environments.
  • This may include handheld electronic devices loaded with movies and games (and spare chargers), sheets and twine or a small pop up tent to decrease visual stimulation in a busy room or to provide instant privacy, headphones to decrease auditory distractions, and comfort snacks and toys that meet needs for stimulation.

Additional Items:

• At least a week-long supply of prescription medicines, along with a list of all medications, dosage, and any allergies
• Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries
• Extra wheelchair batteries (manual wheelchair if possible) and/or oxygen
• A list of the style and serial number of medical devices. Include special instructions for operating your equipment if needed.
• Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards
• Contact information for doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.
• Pet food, extra water, collar with ID tag, medical records and other supplies for your service animal
• Handheld electronic devices loaded with movies and games (and spare chargers), headphones to decrease auditory distractions, and comfort snacks and toys that meet needs for stimulation.

Additional Resources

• Emergency Communication Plan (PDF)
• Prepare for Emergencies Now, Information for People With Disabilities (PDF)
• Transit Commuter Emergency Communication Plan (PDF)
• We Prepare Everyday (Video)
• Be Informed (Video)
• Make A Plan (Video)
• Build A Kit (Video)

If a natural disaster strikes, what will happen to your pet? Be prepared: make a plan and prepare a disaster kit for your pet.

Leaving pets out of evacuation plans can put pets, pet owners, and first responders in danger. Even if you try to create a safe place for them, pets left behind during a disaster are likely to be injured, lost, or worse. It is your responsibility as a pet owner to find out what type of shelters and assistance are available in your area to accommodate pets and to include pets in your disaster plan to keep them safe during an emergency.

Have you included pets in your disaster plan? Don’t wait until it’s too late. Start today by:

• Making a plan and
• Preparing a disaster kit

By doing so, you are protecting the health of not only your pet, but yourself, your family, and others in your community.

To get started, familiarize yourself with the types of disasters that could impact your area and consider your options for providing care for your pet(s).

Be prepared: make a plan and prepare a disaster kit for your pet.

Make a Plan

Disasters can happen without warning, so be prepared for these events:

• Make sure your pet(s) wear collars and tags with up-to-date contact information and other identification.
• Microchip your pet(s) – this is one of the best ways to ensure that you and your pet are reunited if you are separated. Always be sure to register the microchip with the manufacturer and keep your contact information up to date with the microchip company.
• Purchase a pet carrier for each of your pets (write your pet’s name, your name and contact information on each carrier).
  • Familiarize your pet with its transport crate before a crisis.
  • Practice transporting your pet by taking them in for rides in a vehicle similar to one you would be evacuating in.
  • Practice catching your pet, if needed.
• Keep a leash and/or carrier nearby the exit.
• Ensure proper equipment for pets to ride in the car (carriers, harnesses, pet seatbelts).
• If you do not have a car, make arrangements with neighbors, family and friends. You can also contact your local government to learn about transportation options during a disaster.
• Decide where you and your pet are going to stay. Based on the severity of a disaster, you may have two options for your pets:
  • Sheltering in place
  • Sheltering in a facility away from home (during an evacuation)

Sheltering in Place

When sheltering at home with your pet, make sure the room chosen is pet-friendly in the following ways:

• Select a safe room, preferably an interior room with no (or few) windows.
• Remove any toxic chemicals or plants.
• Close off small areas where frightened cats could get stuck in (such as vents or beneath heavy furniture).

Sheltering during an evacuation

• Contact your local emergency management office and ask if they offer accommodations for owners and their pets.
• If accommodations are needed for your pet(s):
  • Contact local veterinary clinics, boarding facilities, and local animal shelters. Visit the Humane Society website to find a shelter in your area. .
  • Contact family or friends outside the evacuation area.
  • Contact a pet-friendly hotel, particularly along evacuation routes.
• Make plans before disaster strikes for where you and your pets will go. Be aware that pets may not be allowed in local human shelters, unless they are service animals.
  • Check with:
    • Family or friends outside the evacuation area.
    • Pet-friendly hotels
      • www.bringfido.com or call 877-411-FIDO
      • www.dogfriendly.com or call 888-281-5170
      • www.doginmysuitcase.com or call 8880254-0637
      • www.pet-friendly-hotels.net or call 866-966-3046
      • www.pets-allowed-hotels.com or call 800-250-1625
      • www.petswelcome.com
      • www.tripswithpets.com

Make sure your pet has a tag with up-to-date contact information and other identification.

Prepare a Pet Disaster Kit

Prepare a disaster kit for your pet(s), so evacuation will go smoothly for your entire family. Ask your veterinarian for help putting it together. Here is a checklist[1.9 MB] to get you started. Some examples of what to include are:

Disaster Supplies for Pets

• Food (in airtight waterproof containers or cans) and water for at least 2 weeks for each pet
• Food and water bowls and a manual can opener
• For cats: litter box and litter
• For dogs: plastic bags for poop
• Clean-up items for bathroom accidents (paper towels, plastic trash bags, bleach-containing cleaning agent)
• Medications for at least 2 weeks, along with any treats used to give the medications and pharmacy contact for refills
• Medical records
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Current vaccination record
  • If your pet has a microchip, a record of the microchip number
  • Prescription for medication(s)
  • For cats, most recent FeLV/FIV test result or vaccination date
  • Summary of pertinent medical history; ask your veterinarian for a copy
• Sturdy leashes or harnesses
• Carrier or cage that is large enough for your pet to stand comfortably and turn around; towels or blankets
• Pet toys and bed (familiar items to help the pet[s] feel more comfortable).
• A handout containing identification information (in the event you get separated from your pet)
  • Current photo of pet
  • Pet’s descriptive features (age, sex, neutered/non-neutered status, color(s), and approximate weight)
  • Microchip number
  • Owner contact information (cell phone, work phone, home phone)
  • Contact information of a close relative or friend,
• A handout with boarding instructions[443 KB], such as feeding schedule, medications, and any known allergies and behavior problems
• Documents, medications, and food should be stored in waterproof containers

Protect Yourself from Injury and Illness

• Disasters are stressful for humans and pets alike. Practice safe handling of your pet, because your pet may behave differently during a stressful situation.
• To avoid common diseases that pets can transmit to people
  • Wash your hands before and after handling your pet and its waste
  • Wash your hands right after handling pet food or treats
  • Wash your hands after picking up your pet’s stool or cleaning a litter box
  • Avoid letting your pet lick your face or hands

Prepare a disaster kit for your pet.

Diseases Pets Can Transmit to People During a Natural Disaster

Natural disasters can contribute to the transmission of some diseases. Exposure to inclement weather conditions, stagnant water, wildlife or unfamiliar animals, and overcrowding can put your pet at risk for getting sick. Some of these illnesses can be transmitted to people. Some common disaster-related diseases that pets can pass to people are listed below.

Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system in both animals and people. Rabies is transmitted through bites from rabid animals or through contact with their saliva.To protect you and your pet:

• Keep your pet up-to-date on rabies vaccine
• Report any bite wounds to medical personnel immediately
• Practice safe handling of pets in a stressful situation
• Keep your pet in a carrier or on a leash
• Do not allow your pet to interact with other animals

Ringworm is a condition caused by a fungus that can infect skin, hair, and nails of both people and animals. Ringworm is transmitted from animals to people through direct contact with an infected animal’s skin or hair or through touching an object where an affected animal has been. To protect your family from ringworm:

• Wash your hands after touching any animal
• Do not let your pet interact with other animals
• Use disinfectant to clean the cage and litter box

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease found in the urine of infected animals that can cause kidney damage and affect other organs. It is transmitted through contact with infected urine or contaminated water, soil, and food.

• Talk to your veterinarian about vaccinating your pet for leptospirosis
• Wash your hands after coming in contact with urine
• Avoid stagnant water, especially after flooding occurring after natural disasters
• Don’t allow pets to play in or drink contaminated water

Bring handouts with identification information in case you are separated from your pet.

Diseases spread by mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks: Mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks are common pests of stray animals and can be a problem immediately following a disaster situation. Their bites irritate the skin and may also carry a variety of diseases (Lyme disease, West Nile virus) harmful to both humans and animals. To prevent illnesses associated with mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks:

• Keep your pet up-to-date on heartworm and flea and tick preventive treatments
• Keep your pet away from wildlife and stray animals
• Wash your pet’s bedding regularly

Visit Healthy Pets Healthy People for more information on diseases animals can transmit to humans.

What if I am separated from my pet?

Make sure that your family is in a safe location before you begin your search.

• If you are in a shelter that houses pets, inform one of the pet caretakers. Give the pet caretaker your pre-made missing pet handout.
• Once you have been cleared to leave the shelter and return home, contact animal control about your lost pet.
• Last, call the microchip company to make sure all the information about you and your pet is updated and current.