Are you worried about what to do if an emergency strikes your assisted living community? Are you concerned that the people who live there would be unprepared for such an event? The good news is that Midlothian, TX, Assisted Living communities have an emergency plan in place, but it’s up to you as a family member or caregiver to ensure that these plans are being followed. All communities have different procedures depending on their region, but this basic outline should help shed some light:
Fire
Get out of the building if you smell smoke or hear fire alarms. Only return to your room once it is safe. If you cannot get out of the building safely, call 911 from a cell phone or other device that can make outside calls from inside a locked room.
If you are trapped in your room, close all windows and doors, turn off all electrical equipment and appliances (for example TV’s), wet towels down with water and drape them over the doorways leading into the hallway; keep yourself out of drafts by using furniture for additional protection; do not use any flammable products like candles or incense as this may cause an explosion; if possible use wet towels or blankets around doors/windows to create steam which could help prevent smoke inhalation.
Earthquake
If you are indoors: Get to the ground. Take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture such as a desk or heavy chair. If there is no shelter nearby, get down next to an interior wall (away from windows) and cover your head and neck with your arms. Do not get under a door frame which could collapse due to shifting debris outside the structure. Stay away from glass objects that could fall on you during the quake. Aftershocks can occur minutes, hours, or even days after an initial earthquake event, so stay calm and stay where you are until emergency responders reach you with instructions regarding safe exit from your building or location.
Flooding
You should move your belongings to higher ground if a flood is imminent. If you are in an evacuation zone, follow the directions of local authorities. If you are not able to evacuate and water is coming into your home, try to turn off power sources (such as gas lines) that could be affected by flood waters.
Once the flooding has subsided, assess how your property was affected by the flooding. Water damage can make homes unsafe or uninhabitable if it is addressed slowly. Consider hiring professionals who specialize in water damage repair for assistance with cleanup and repairs; there are many companies like this out there that will provide these services at reasonable rates.
Storms And Heavy Rain
It’s best to keep an eye on the weather forecast. If you notice that a storm is coming, or if it’s already happening, be sure to check in with your loved one’s assisted living community about whether they have any emergency procedures in place for storms and heavy rain. This will help you know what to expect and how best to support your loved one during a weather emergency.
If there is potential flooding at the assisted living community, make sure that they have an evacuation plan in place (this could be as simple as moving residents into hallways where flooding isn’t likely) so everyone can stay safe while they wait out the storm.
Conclusion
While these are just a few possible emergencies that could occur in an assisted living community, it is important to know that all communities have a plan in place in case these situations happen.
