Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Senior looking out window - contemplating riding out the storm

Many people faced with an oncoming storm, wildfire, or other danger must finally decide to shelter at home or evacuate and travel to another location. This step will help you think more clearly about what you need to stay at home or to evacuate safely if you have a disability or access and functional needs.

Determine what should go into your “Shelter-at-Home Kit” and “Go-Bag.” A “shelter-at-home kit” is for items you will need if you stay in your home or wherever you are when an emergency happens. Items in the kit should be what you need to stay in one location without any outside help. A “Go-bag” should be portable. The “Go-bag” is taken with you when you travel to a relative’s home, a hotel, or even a public shelter. Both kits should include basic necessities to take care of your physical, emotional, medical, and psychological needs for 5-7 days, or longer.

Store your kits in something appropriate. A “Shelter-at-Home Kit” could be in a labeled box, storage container, or suitcase as long as it was waterproof and easy to move. Your “Go-Bag” needs to be something easy to take with you, such as a backpack or old suitcase that can be grabbed or attached to a mobility device when you need it.

Considerations for people with disabilities and access and functional needs may include addressing the following challenges:

  • Do I have enough medicine to last 5-7 days or longer?
  • Does my pharmacist help me with backup supply medications?
  • What Assistive Technology (AT) devices/supports do I need if I have to go to a shelter or shelter-at-home?
  • What is my backup plan to support my Assistive Technology (AT) needs?
  • How will I leave my home if I need to evacuate?
  • Do I have a primary person designated as providing support for evacuation?
  • Am I familiar with different routes to evacuate?

Fill in the tables below, and print them, to add to your personal Emergency Readiness Plan.

I am registered with the following Delaware Emergency Alert Programs/Registries:
Delaware Emergency Registry/Alert Program Yes/No Registration Dates
Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS): < see TIP 1 https://alertregistration.com/dema/
Special Needs Alert Program (SNAP) for children: < see TIP 2 http://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/ems/emscsnap.html
Smart911 is a voluntary safety profile to help first responders know about your needs: < see TIP 3
Smart911.com
My Sources of Communication: Emergency Radio and Television Sources (include frequency)
Local Radio Station
Local Television Station
NOAA Radio
My Sources of Personal Support During Emergencies
I will receive phone calls from:
I will receive mobile phone or text messages from:
I will receive Email or Internet-based messages from:
I will receive information from other sources based on my needs from:
I will be visited personally by:
I am a Source of Personal Support During Emergencies
I will make phone calls to:
I will make mobile phone or send text messages to:
I will send Email or Internet-based messages to:
I will give information from other sources based on my needs from:
I will visit personally:
My Shelter-At-Home Kit contains:
Check Date Added Kit Item
Copy of My Emergency Readiness Plan
Copies of important documents
Cash and Credit Cards (cash is better)
Water (one gallon per day per person and per pet)
Food for you, family and pet for 5 days
Manual can opener and cooking supplies < see TIP 4
First Aid Kit and instructions
Warm Clothes and Rain Gear
Soap, hand sanitizer, bleach, toilet paper, personal hygiene supplies
Plastic sheets, duct tape, utility knife (to cover broken windows)
Blanket or sleeping bag
Large heavy duty bags and plastic bucket for waste and sanitation
Tools – Crowbar, hammer and nails, staple gun
Heavy duty leather work gloves
Pet food and supplies (if applicable)
Batteries, flashlight(s), lantern
Extra battery for cell phone
Adapters to charge batteries in the car
Battery-operated or hand cranked weather radio
My Shelter-At-Home Kit contains items for my specific needs:
Check Date Added Kit item for My Needs
My Go-Bag contains the following basic items:
Check Date Added Go-Bag Item
Copy of “My Emergency Readiness Plan”
Copies of important documents
Cash and credit cards (cash is better)
Water (one gallon per person and per pet per day)
Food for you, family and pet for 5 days
Manual can opener and cooking supplies
Flashlight or lantern and extra batteries
Battery-powered or hand-cranked weather radio and extra batteries
Whistle
Dust mask
Pocket knife
Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, warm hat
Maps
Photos of family members and pets (re-identification purposes)
Prescription medications and first aid supplies
Toothbrush and toothpaste, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products
Duct tape
Heavy duty leather work gloves
Extra batteries for cell phone
Adapters to charge batteries in the car
Disposable rubber gloves < see TIP 5
Baby necessities (if applicable) like food, formula, diapers, and wipes
Documentation of shots for your pet(s)
My Go-Bag also contains items for my specific needs: < see TIP 6
Check Date Added Go-Bag Item
My List of Doctors:
Name of Doctor Specialty Phone Number
Other Important Health-Related Contacts:
Provider Type Provider Name Phone Number
Pharmacy
Other Pharmacy
Personal Assistant/Home Care Provider
Medical Equipment Co.
Other:
My Medications include: < see TIP 7
Medication Name Prescription #, Dosage, Purpose, and Storage Issues