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Public Health and Emergency Response Monthly Newsletter |
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Stay Safe this Hurricane Season – Plan Ahead Tropical storms, hurricanes, and typhoons are powerful storms. Hurricane season in South Carolina begins June 1st and lasts through November 1st each year. An active storm can cause:
- Flooding
- Power outages
- Dangerous storm surges
- Strong winds and tornadoes
These storms can affect both the coast and areas far inland. If you have a disability, planning early can help you stay safe and independent. Know the Terms:
- A watch means conditions might happen soon – get ready.
- A warning means dangerous conditions are expected – act now.
- A storm surge warning means flooding from ocean water is likely – check for evacuation orders.
Stay Informed:
Make a Personal Plan, Able SC has developed this template for the disability community.
- Include family, caregivers, pets, and service animals.
- Contact your power company about getting priority if the power goes out and you rely on electricity for medical devices (like oxygen or power wheelchairs).
- Need help with your plan?
- Call Able SC at 800-681-6805 (TTY: 803-779-0949) and we can help you make an emergency plan for yourself, your family, your pets, and your service animals.
Pack an Emergency Kit, Able SC has developed this checklist for the disability community. Fill your kit with items to help you stay healthy and independent:
- Medications and copies of prescriptions
- Phone, tablet, and chargers
- Communication tools (like communication boards or visual schedules)
- Food, water, hygiene items
- Sensory items or comfort tools
- Clothes, sturdy shoes, blankets, and a pillow
- Supplies for service animals and pets (food, leash, bedding)
- Face masks and hand sanitizer
Evacuation Tips:
- If you drive a car, keep your gas tank at least half full.
- Know more than one evacuation route.
- Do not travel on flooded roads!
- If you don’t drive, make your transportation plan in advance. Talk to friends, family, and neighbors about your options. It’s a good idea to contact your County Emergency Management office for ideas and resources prior to a crisis.
- In South Carolina, if an evacuation is called for, you can locate open shelters via the SCEMD website.
- Leave a note behind with your name and where you are going if you evacuate.
After the Storm:
- Before you go home, wait until local officials say it’s safe.
- Check for power, water, and safe roads before going home.
- Contact your Able SC or local emergency management office if your home is damaged or inaccessible. We can help!
Let’s work together to stay safe and ready this hurricane season. Resources and Support:
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Just the Basics: Physical Movement Being physically active is one of the best things you can do for your health. It helps your heart, muscles, and mind stay strong. This is true for everyone—including people with disabilities. But many people with disabilities don’t get enough physical activity. In fact, almost half of adults with disabilities don’t do any regular exercise. This can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and depression. The good news is that any movement counts! You don’t have to run or go to the gym. You can walk, roll, stretch, dance, swim, or even garden. What matters most is finding something you enjoy and can do safely. Why being active helps:
- It makes daily tasks easier.
- It boosts your mood and energy.
- It helps you stay independent.
- It lowers your risk of getting sick.
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What/who can help:
- Your healthcare provider may be able to discuss and offer safe ways to stay active.
- Communities can make parks, gyms, and sidewalks easier for everyone to use. Here's a list of fun and accessible places to visit in South Carolina.
- Doing exercise and activities with your friends, family, or others with disabilities can make it more fun and help you feel supported.
We all deserve the chance to be active and healthy. When people with disabilities have the support and opportunities we need to move more, we feel better! Resources:
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UV Safety Month and Extreme Heat Awareness July is Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month. It is time to raise awareness about the dangers of UV light. UV light is not visible to us. However, it is important to be cautious because UV rays from the sun can harm our skin and eyes. Protection from UV light is especially important for those of us in the disability community, as we might be more sensitive to light, heat, or take medications that increase sun sensitivity. Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider about your medications and ask if they increase your risk of sun sensitivity. |
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To protect yourself from harmful UV light;
- use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30
- wear protective clothing
- avoid the sun during peak hours {10am – 4pm}
- simple actions like using an umbrella, wearing a hat, or staying in the shade can help you enjoy the outdoors safely.
It is crucial to protect yourself, your family, and your pets during times of extreme heat. Much of the United States are expected to be under heat-related advisories due to high temperatures this summer. According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), excessive heat is the cause of more deaths in the U.S. than any other natural disaster. Extreme heat is especially dangerous for people with disabilities and other marginalized communities because they often have less access to safe, cool places and ways to stay protected. Explore Ready.Gov, People with Disabilities ahead of extreme temperatures to protect yourself and your household from potential dangers. Here are some simple tips:
- Make a plan. Include shade, water, sun protection, and limit time outside.
- Stay cool. Know where you can go for air conditioning and ask about any help you’ll need there.
- Use your support system. Ask friends, family, or caregivers to check in and help you stay safe.
- Watch your health. Talk to your doctor about your medications and how heat might affect you.
- Be ready for power outages. Let your power company know if someone in your home relies on electricity for medical needs.
If you have a specific need or concern, please call Able SC at 800-681-6805. Resources:
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Public Health Initiatives Able SC provides advocacy and education to ensure that disability is represented in all areas of public health. We have established state and national partnerships with public health entities to ensure the needs of the disability community are included in all programs and services. We also offer direct programs to ensure people with disabilities have access to the information and resources they need to lead healthy, active, and independent lives. |
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Violence Prevention Able SC has programs and services that address violence against South Carolinians with disabilities in three main ways. First, we help people with disabilities who have been hurt or abused to find resources, understand their legal rights, and get the support they need to heal. Second, we create easy-to-understand educational resources about relationship safety for everyone! Third, we provide training and education for professionals who serve survivors with disabilities. |
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Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery Services We organize the SC Disability Partners in Disaster Planning Coalition to ensure people with disabilities are being included and receiving equitable services throughout the state in all aspects of emergency planning. We also provide individual services to assist people with disabilities to prepare for emergency disasters, get the resources they need before, during and after emergency disasters |
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Able South Carolina
720 Gracern Road Suite 106 | Columbia, South Carolina 29210
803.779.5121 | advocacy@able-sc.org |
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