Health and mobility issues can pose challenges for local seniors when the snow, ice and cold temperatures of winter embrace the area. Donald Bryant, director of the Kane County Office of Emergency Management, suggested ways citizens can prepare for unexpectedly bad weather.
First, he recommends keeping enough food, water and medications on hand to last at least three days. Second, keep an emergency kit prepared at all times, including flash lights and batteries, a radio, first aid kit, and at least one blanket per person.
Finally, seniors and others with disabilities or special needs should sign up for their community’s special needs registry. Contact information for county-managed registries follows. Following a weather-related emergency, officials contact registrants to make sure they’re safe, and to provide help with any health and safety needs that have arisen as a result of the emergency.
Following is contact information for local special needs registries.
Kane County Office of Emergency Management, www.kcoem.org
630-232-5985
Will County Emergency Manage-ment Agency, www.willcountyema. org/
815-740-8351
DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, www. dupageco. org/oem/specialNeeds.cfm
630-682-7925
For communities outside these counties, contact your local police department or senior services organization to determine whether a special needs registry is in place for your area.
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