The United Nations states that people with disabilities are two to four times more likely to get injured or die in a natural disaster. Yet, despite this concerning fact, businesses and communities have not taken adequate measures to accommodate their disabled community.
Even with underground or aboveground shelters, the industry has only recently started taking steps to build accessible, safe rooms and bunkers for disabled homeowners.
At US Safe Rooms, our shelters are customizable, so we can make as many changes and modifications to the structure as required. But, for those homeowners who haven’t swapped their tornado safe rooms with accessible shelters, the danger is still there.
Handling Tornado Safety as a Disabled Homeowner
For people with disabilities or medical conditions, tornado preparedness involves more than just gathering their bags and loved ones and heading into the tornado shelter.
Here are some tips people can follow if they or a loved one in the house have a disability or medical condition:
– Always keep a bell, flashlight, or whistle nearby to signal other people in case of an emergency.
– For those living in apartment buildings, check accessible exits, and run a drill every month, so you know the safest method to follow.
– Check for fire safety instruments in the house and make sure all fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and flashlights are in proper working order.
– Install an alarm outside that has a strobe light to alert the neighbors in the community
– Keep alternative options for communication at hand, such as a dry erase board, markers, or a writing tablet.
– Stockpile all emergency supplies such as medication, drinkable water, non-perishable goods, flashlights, batteries, a workable weather radio, pillows, and blankets.
– If you use a life support system, or other power-dependent equipment, like a battery-operated wheelchair, get in touch with the power company or the hospital so you can figure out an alternative method to stay safe.
– For homeowners who require extra oxygen, specific food, and medication, keep a list of all the medical devices you need, their type and serial numbers, and store them in a tornado shelter beforehand.
– For homeowners with guide or hearing dogs, keep water and food in addition to other items stocked separately.
Invest in a Tornado Shelter
US Safe Rooms offers tornado and storm safe rooms in Texas, including Dallas, Sherman, Denison, Plano, and Fort Worth, among other areas.
Get in touch with us and let us help make your home safer by incorporating an aboveground tornado shelter in the vicinity of your home. Call us today at 469-629-6000.
