What else you can do to prepare your household for emergencies:

-Use the websites and phone numbers on the Additional Resources page to learn about more ways to protect yourself and your household in an emergency.

-Take a first-aid class to learn how to help family and neighbors if they are injured.

-Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all areas of your home and check them regularly to make sure they are working.

-Install fire extinguishers in your home and make sure all household members know where they are and how to use them.

-Change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and check on emergency supplies twice a year during daylight-savings time.

INFORMATION FOR YOU & YOUR LOVED ONES

Seniors & People With Disabilities | Mental Health

SENIORS & PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Seniors and people with disabilities may need to take additional steps to prepare for emergencies. If you or someone in your household has special needs, consider the following tips when preparing your disaster plans. For more planning assistance, you may contact Frederick County Office of Emergency Management (301-600-1746); the Frederick County Department of Aging (301-600-1605); or Frederick County Health Department - Mental Health Services (301-600-1755).

• Keep a 7-14 day supply of necessary medications on hand at all times.
  
• Develop a personal emergency plan for each place where you spend time--at work, home, school and in the community.
  
• Evaluate your capabilities, limitations, needs and surroundings to determine what type fo support your may need in an emergency.
  
• If you are dependent on electricity for your wheelchair, breathing machine or any other life-sustaining device, plan for a loss of power. Consult your power provider.
  
• The hearing impaired may need to make special arrangements to make sure they receive emergency warnings.
  
• Mobility impaired people may need assistance to get to a shelter or to evacuate from buildings. Keep in mind elevators will not work in a power outage. Technologically dependent people should check in with 911 or their doctors
  
• People with special dietary needs should have an adequate emergency food supply.
  
• It is a good idea to write down your support needs and numbers. Medical conditions, medications and dosages, allergies, special equipment, medical insurance, Medicare insurance cards as well as peronal and medical contact details are important to have available. Keep this list with you in emergencies and supply a friend with a copy.
  
• If you have a service animal, make sure that is registerd for a service tag.

MENTAL HEALTH

Disaster victims are likely to experience at least one of several emotional responses: Anger, fatigue, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, nightmares, depression, inability to concentrate, hyperactivity, or increased alcohol or drug use. Mental health experts suggest a number of ways to relieve the symptoms of emotional distress.

• Talk about your feelings with family, friends and neighbors. These people are good medicine, and sharing common experiences helps people overcome anxiety and feelings of helplessness.
  
• Get back into daily routines as soon as you can, and try to maintain a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep.
  
• Get some physical exercise every day.
  
• If you continue to have the symptoms described above for an extended period of time, think about consulting a mental health professional.

For more information, a referral, or if you need someone to talk to, call Frederick County Health Department - Mental Health Services (301-600-1755).

(Adapted from Ready New York)