Frequently Asked Questions and answers regarding Safety issues of concern to people with disabilities, their families and caregivers: New Horizons Un-Limited:

FAQ: Safety

For quick link to the FAQ of your choice on the topic of Safety click on the question below.

A: New Horizons Un-Limited has written a guide, "How to Prepare for an Emergency or Disaster for People with Disabilities and How to Get Help in the Aftermath". This guide provides resource on the following: Are you prepared for an emergency or a disaster? Do you know what to include in an individual or family emergency survival kit or evacuation kit? Do you know how to contact those who may assist you in an emergency or disaster? Have you evaluated your special needs? Do you know who can help you during an emergency or developed a plan for emergencies? This guide will help you on how to prepare for an emergency or natural disaster for people with disabilities, safety during the disaster, how to get help and who to turn to during and in the aftermath of the disaster.
A: Public Health and Emergency Preparedness is a guide with links to the major disaster preparedness websites.
A: Disaster Preparedness on a Budget is the ultimate guide. It describes the risks of a natural disaster in your area of the country, possible scenarios, creating a disaster preparedness plan, extra steps for seniors and disabled people, taking care of pets, easy survival skills and things you can do right now, what to put in your vehicle and links to resources for assistance or to get involved.

A: A Nurses Guide to First Aid and Disaster Preparedness Fires, floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes are all examples of natural disasters that can be sudden and dangerous. One can begin preparing for one of these disasters by creating an emergency kit containing necessities such as nonperishable food, water, a flashlight with extra batteries, and blankets. Because natural disasters are all different and destructive in their own way, one will need to prepare and respond to them differently. Families should review the types of natural disasters that are most common in their area. This guide gives some basic information for different disasters and offers a list of resources for preparing for disasters. This guide also includes first aid kit and health emergency information and resources.

A: Preparing for Disasters in Your Home What to buy, what to skip This article by retailmenot.com offers you a very comprehensive way to know how to be well prepared for an emergency. Here’s what you need to buy, and what you can skip as you prepare your home for an eventual emergency situation. The article covers First Aid Kit, Food, Power, A Go Bag, Tools, Personal Items, For Seniors or People with Disabilities, Children or your pets. Evaluate your situation, review the list for what would be necessary and practical for you to be prepared.

A: Important Legal Documents for Emergency Preparedness
This article by justgreatlawyers.com offers a comprehensive guide for what you should put together in regard to legal documents. One of the things that many people forget about is the important documents they need in the event of an evacuation. If your family suddenly has to vacate your home, and you only have time to grab your disaster kit and run, you will want to make sure it has the right documents to keep you on track. This list will help you prepare for the next disaster with the right documents. Family, Financial, Legal and Medical documents are important to reclaim your life after a disaster. There are also ideas about how to keep them, but have them ready.

A: See our NHU page of resources on Identification and Emergency Medical Information resources.

A: Sign up for smart911.com. Be prepared for any emergency by giving public safety the information they need to better help and communicate with you. You will be able to provide additional information to 9-1-1 so they can help you faster in an emergency. Stay informed of weather, traffic, and other emergencies in your community. Help emergency managers prepare for disasters by providing your health or access and functional needs information. Services in your area may vary so check with your local 911 center.

Q: What are the warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

A: Carbon Monoxide is a gas produced when fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, propane, fuel oil, and wood do not have enough oxygen to burn completely. Furnaces , boilers and fireplaces or automobiles running in an attached garage can cause carbon monoxide leaking. As carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless it can go undetected and cause carbon monoxide poisoning in humans before they are aware of it. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and sleepiness. If all members of the household have the same flu symptoms but become better when they go outside, if your house plants are dying or there is moisture on walls and windows you may have a carbon monoxide leakage. Contact your local gas utility for safety tips, prevention and maintain fuel equipment properly.

Q: How can I prevent falls at home?

A: For additional home safety and more safety topics, visit our NHU resource page Independent Living: Safety in the Home, Workplace and Community.

Q: How do I maintain heating equipment and appliances in my home for safety?

A: Contact your local utility electric and gas companies for their latest safety literature or visit their website. This literature can give you much information on maintaining your heating equipment so you stay safe in your home such as furnaces, fireplaces, space heaters, carbon monoxide safety, electric or natural gas hazards, appliance safety or safety in the event of a power outage. Included will be safety and emergency contacts for natural gas leak, electical emergency, and diggers hotline.

Wisconsin

A: Wisconsin Electric has a voluntary registry for customers who rely on electrically powered medical equipment at their home called Medical Alert. If you register, they will help you develop a backup plan for power outages. To register, call their Customer Contact Center at 1-414-221-3333 in the metro Milwaukee area, or 1-800-242-9137 outside Milwaukee. For power outage, call their Lights Out number, 1-800-662-4797. If you do not live in the Milwaukee area, check your local power company for backup plans for power outages.