Batteries
- Store extra batteries for hearing aids and implants. If available, keep an extra hearing aid
with your emergency supplies.
- Store extra batteries for your TTY and light phone signaler. Check your manual for proper
maintenance advice.
Hearing Aids
- Store hearing aids in a consistent, convenient and secured place, so you can quickly and
easily locate them after a disaster. Consider storing them in a container attached to your night stand or bed post. Missing or damaged hearing aids will be difficult to replace or fix following a major disaster.
Alarms
- Install both audible alarms and visual smoke alarms. At least one should be battery-operated.
Communication
- Determine how you will communicate with emergency personnel if there is no interpreter or if
you do not have your hearing aid(s). Store paper and pens.
- Consider carrying a pre-printed copy of key phrases, such as "I speak American
Sign Language (ASL) and need an ASL interpreter."
- If possible, obtain a battery-operated television that has a decoder chip for access to
signed or captioned emergency reports.
- Determine which broadcasting systems will provide continuous news that will be captioned and/or signed.
Advocacy
- Recruit interpreters to be Red Cross emergency volunteers.
- Maintain pressure on TV stations to broadcast all news and emergency information in open
caption format and/or secure on-camera interpreters for emergency duties.
- When you travel, ensure hotels have access packets for deaf and hearing impaired persons, including audible alarms. Ask for them when you check in.
Checklist
- ________ Store and maintain extra hearing aids and batteries.
- ________ Install both audible alarms and visual smoke alarms.
- ________ Write down key phrases for emergency personnel.
Developed by Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco in cooperation with June Kailes, Disability Consultant, through a grant from The American Red Cross Northern California Disaster Preparedness Network.
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