If you live in an area prone to wildfires and are a caregiver, you must have a preplanned escape route. In the event that your first route is blocked, you should have a secondary or back-up escape plan. As is the case for all potential disasters, you should have a disaster evacuation kit packed and ready to go at all times.
You must pre-plan how you will be able to get the person you care for out of the house quickly. You may need to enlist the help of a friend or neighbor in developing this plan, as often another person is needed to help move a non-ambulatory individual. Your local fire department or rescue squad can also provide assistance.
Someone from the local fire department or social service agency needs to be aware that you have a non-abmulatory resident in your home. This will help ensure that someone will come to assist if you are not home when the wildfire threatens.
For more information about wildfires, visit the eXtension Wildfire Information Network site. Additionally, prepare yourself for a wildfire or any other disaster by visiting the Federal Emergency Management Agency website – of particular note, this website has a section specifically aimed at helping you tailor a disaster plan for your needs.
Photo by Nsandre / CC BY http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/