Basic emergency preparations are important at any age. Older adults and seniors may need to update their preparations as their needs change. 

What would you or any older adults in your household need in an emergency? Evaluate those needs, include them in your emergency plan and add any necessary items to your emergency supply kit. Ready.gov recommends that older Americans also consider the following measures:

• Create a network of neighbors, relatives, friends and co-workers to aid you in an emergency. Discuss your needs and make sure everyone knows how to operate necessary equipment. If appropriate, discuss your needs with your employer.
• Keep specialized items ready, including extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters, medication, food for service animals and any other items you might need.
• Keep written copies of your prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and orders for medical equipment, including dosage, treatment and allergy information in your emergency kit.
• Make a list of the type and model numbers of the medical devices you require.
• Talk with your service provider about their emergency plans if you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital or if you receive regular services such as home health care, treatment or transportation. Work with them to identify back-up service providers and incorporate them into your personal support network.
• Get copies and maintain electronic versions of health records from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other sources and store them, for personal reference. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides an online tool intended to help people locate and access their electronic health records from a variety of sources.
• Coordinate with friends, family or specialty transportation service providers in the event of a mandatory evacuation.

Don’t get caught unprepared. Join America’s PrepareAthon! and get ready today. Find more information on creating an emergency plan, building an emergency kit, or planning for a specific disaster at Ready.gov or Ready.gov/Seniors.

The risk of having a home fire increases during the winter months. 

To help you learn about and prevent winter fire hazards, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) have teamed up to promote “Put a Freeze on Winter Fires.”

Each week, USFA is sharing helpful, practical tips to assist with making our homes and families safer. Participate in the conversation using #WinterSafety. You can also follow @usfire on Twitter and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usfire.

For additional fire safety and prevention information, visit the USFA's website.

Find more winter safety information in the America’s PrepareAthon! How to Prepare for a Winter Storm guide.

Spring will be here before we know it. Prepare for possible spring flooding now before it sneaks up on you.

Follow these tips from Ready.gov to make sure you, your family and your home are ready for flooding:

• Know your flood risk.
• Make a flood emergency plan.
• Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
• Consider buying flood insurance.
• Familiarize yourself with local emergency plans. Know where to go and how to get there should you need to get to higher ground, the highest level of a building, or to evacuate.
• Stay tuned to your phone alerts, TV, or radio for weather updates, emergency instructions, or evacuation orders.

For more flood safety information, download the America’s PrepareAthon! How to Prepare for a Flood guide.