For people who need additional help

People who need additional help are often also more vulnerable in emergency situations. Good preparation is therefore all the more important.

General

To prepare, you can follow the same steps as everyone else. However, it is essential to think carefully about your personal situation at every stage.
Draw up a plan.
- Analyse your own home. Are escape routes sufficiently accessible? Can you reach the gas valve, electricity meter or water supply?
- Think about the risks in your region, or risks with a high impact. Read the tips before, during and after. Which steps do you need help with?
Talk about it.
- Make sure you have enough people around you. Talk to them about how they can help you.
- Agree on ways to stay in touch in an emergency. These people can, for example, register your address in BE-Alert. That way, they will also receive a message if there is a problem in your region.
Gather your important belongings in an emergency kit.
- Add to the basic list any items that are essential to you, such as medication or assistive equipment. Ask your GP or pharmacist for a list of your medication and keep it with your important documents.

Are you deaf or hard of hearing?
- Make sure you can receive alerts (e.g. via SMS from BE-Alert or a vibrating or flashing fire alarm).
- Think about alternative means of communication, even if you don't have a phone or the Internet.
Are you blind or partially sighted?
- Make sure you can receive alerts (e.g. via BE-Alert voice messages).
- Do you have a guide dog? Read our tips for pets.
- Do you use aids such as a cane? Keep them in a place where you can find them quickly in an emergency. Plan an alternative if necessary.
Are you in a wheelchair?
- Check via which route you can evacuate if, for example, the lift isn't working or you can't use it. Think about who you can ask to help you evacuate, and how you can warn them.
- Think about a wheelchair-accessible place where you can go if you can't go home immediately.
Do you use any vital electrical appliances (e.g. oxygen machine, electric wheelchair, etc.)? Discuss with your healthcare providers what you can do in the event of a breakdown.

Do you have difficulty getting around?
- Practice getting out of your house quickly from time to time. Check whether you can also evacuate the building if, for example, the lift is not working or cannot be used. Think about who can help you and how you can contact them.
Do you have difficulties with digital technologies?
- Register with BE-Alert or ask someone you know to do it for you. Learn how to recognise BE-Alert messages. Talk to other people about how they can warn you in an emergency. If necessary, ask them to register your address with BE-Alert.

Supplement your emergency kit with:
- Powdered milk
- Disposable nappies and wipes
- Any medicines your children need
- Extra toys
Talk to your children about what can happen in an emergency.
- Train them from time to time to evacuate quickly in the event of a fire.
- Teach them to call the emergency number 112.

Make sure you can receive alerts. Sign up to BE-Alert. Ask those around you to translate the messages for you.
Think about how you can contact the emergency services. Download a translation app, for example. Or ask someone you know to interpret for you.