PURPOSE

This section helps households identify vulnerability factors that increase risk during emergencies, disasters, and prolonged disruptions.

It focuses on risk recognition and planning awareness, not on medical treatment, caregiving, or equipment operation.

SCOPE & LIABILITY BOUNDARY

This page provides planning awareness only.

It does not provide:

• Medical advice or treatment

• Caregiver or nursing instruction

• Equipment operation or repair

• Medication dosing guidance

Medical providers, emergency services, and official instructions always override this page.

WHY PERSONALIZED PLANNING MATTERS

Government emergency agencies consistently identify the same failure pattern:

• Supplies exist, but not for the right people

• Medications run out first

• Mobility limits delay evacuation

• Stress overwhelms children or dependent adults

• Pets are forgotten or turned away from shelters

Preparedness failures most often affect:

• Infants and young children

• Seniors

• People with medical or mobility needs

• Individuals with sensory or cognitive vulnerabilities

• Households with pets

START WITH RISK AWARENESS — NOT SUPPLIES

Before evaluating individual needs, confirm which hazards are most likely where you live and how long services could be disrupted.

If you have not already done so, review your local hazard profile first.

Understanding expected duration without power, water, or access to care changes what “enough” actually means.

GROUP-SPECIFIC RISK CONSIDERATIONS

(WHAT TO WATCH FOR — NOT HOW TO TREAT)

INFANTS AND TODDLERS

Higher risk factors include:

• Rapid dehydration

• Inability to regulate body temperature

• Dependence on specific nutrition and hygiene supplies

Watch for:

• Formula or feeding supply interruption

• Loss of clean water for preparation

• Inability to maintain hygiene

• Stress reactions to noise, crowds, or disruption

Planning awareness:

• Infants require more frequent resupply than adults

• Substitute products may not be safe

• Delays affect infants faster than older children

ELDERLY AND MEDICALLY FRAGILE ADULTS

Higher risk factors include:

• Medication interruption

• Reduced mobility

• Heat or cold sensitivity

• Dependence on electrical or oxygen-based equipment

Watch for:

• Prescription access disruption

• Loss of refrigeration for medications

• Equipment failure during power outages

• Increased fall risk during evacuations or darkness

Critical government guidance:

• Medical continuity planning must be discussed with providers in advance

• Some medical needs require early relocation, not sheltering

CHILDREN AND TEENS

Higher risk factors include:

• Emotional distress

• Separation from caregivers

• Reduced ability to interpret risk

Watch for:

• Panic in loud or crowded environments

• Difficulty sleeping or regulating emotions

• Separation during evacuations or sheltering

Planning awareness:

• Familiar items reduce stress

• Clear identification improves reunification outcomes

PETS AND SERVICE ANIMALS

Higher risk factors include:

• Limited shelter acceptance

• Stress-induced behavior

• Dependence on owners for food, water, and control

Watch for:

• Evacuation barriers due to pets

• Lack of identification or vaccination records

• Heat, smoke, or contamination exposure

Government guidance emphasizes:

• Pets should be planned for before evacuation orders are issued

• Animals may be excluded from some shelters

HOUSEHOLD-WIDE RISK FACTORS PEOPLE OFTEN MISS

Medication dependency

• Many prescriptions cannot be replaced quickly after disasters

Sanitation limitations

• Reduced water access increases illness risk

Power dependence

• Medical devices, refrigeration, and communication rely on electricity

Mobility constraints

• Evacuation time increases significantly for some households

Caregiver absence

• Emergencies may separate households unexpectedly

DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION RISK

Loss of documentation delays:

• Medical care

• Insurance claims

• Housing assistance

• Reunification

Government agencies consistently advise:

• Keep physical copies, not just digital

• Store documents together

• Plan for loss of power and internet

DECISION FRAMING — STAY OR LEAVE

Shelter-in-place becomes unsafe when:

• Medical needs cannot be supported

• Water or sanitation becomes unreliable

• Power loss threatens health

• Authorities recommend relocation

Early relocation is often safer for households with dependents.

MOVE FROM AWARENESS TO STRUCTURE

Risk awareness identifies who is vulnerable.

A system determines what happens next under stress.

If you want a clear, civilian-appropriate framework for:

• Evaluating household risks

• Structuring plans around real-world failures

• Avoiding common mistakes that injure families

• Aligning with current U.S. and Canadian guidance

You can review The First Responder’s Guide to Household Resilience (2026 Edition) here on our products page.

This guide:

• Does not teach rescue or medical procedures

• Focuses on decision-making, coordination, and household planning

• Is designed to reduce confusion and delay when systems fail

FINAL NOTE

Preparedness is personal because risk is personal.

The safest plans account for:

• The slowest person

• The most fragile system

• The most likely disruption

Understanding your household’s needs now prevents dangerous improvisation later.