How to Protect the Elderly, Children, and Pregnant Women During Typhoons? A Guide for Vulnerable Groups
The elderly account for the highest proportion of typhoon-related casualties. Those living alone, children, pregnant women, and patients with chronic diseases each have specific protection needs. This article provides an action checklist for family caregivers.
Why Are Vulnerable Groups at Higher Risk?
Typhoon disaster statistics show that people aged 60 and above often account for more than half of all casualties: they move slowly, receive information with a delay, and their underlying health conditions are exacerbated by power and water outages. Children are curious but lack risk awareness; pregnant women and patients with chronic diseases rely on continuous medical care. Typhoon preparedness plans must "think one step ahead" for them.
Elderly Living Alone: A Key Focus for Community Typhoon Defense
- Children and community workers should confirm a paired contact person in advance, making phone calls or home visits twice daily (morning and evening) during the typhoon's impact
- Set mobile phones to display weather warnings in large font, and teach how to make emergency calls with a single button
- Stockpile enough medication for one week (such as antihypertensives and insulin), and post a medication list on the refrigerator
- Elderly people living in single-story houses or dilapidated buildings should be evacuated in advance; do not wait until the wind and rain are at their peak to persuade them—past casualty lessons highlight the danger of "reluctance to leave"
- Keep a flashlight in a fixed location by the bedside to avoid falling in the dark
Children: Supervise, Explain, and Prevent Mishaps
- Repeatedly instruct them to stay away from windows, not to lean out to watch the typhoon, and not to go onto balconies to retrieve items
- When schools are closed and children are at home, store away scissors, lighters, etc., and do not allow children to use candles during power outages
- Older children can be assigned "tasks" (such as checking flashlights or filling water bottles); a sense of participation can reduce fear
- After the typhoon, do not let children play in standing water: missing manhole covers, fallen live wires, and pollution are all hazards
Pregnant Women: Prepare a Medical Emergency Plan
- In the late stages of pregnancy, confirm the emergency access channel at the prenatal check-up hospital for typhoon days in advance, and keep the hospital bag ready by the door
- Contact a relative or friend who lives nearby and has a car to serve as an emergency driver
- In case of water breaking or regular contractions, call 120 immediately, explaining that it is a typhoon day so that dispatch can be arranged in advance
Patients with Chronic Diseases and Those Using Medical Devices
- Patients dependent on oxygen concentrators, ventilators, or dialysis: confirm backup power sources or arrangements at nearby hospitals in advance; those with severe dependence are advised to be hospitalized before the typhoon to avoid risks
- For medications stored in the refrigerator (such as insulin), prepare ice packs to cope with power outages
Action Checklist for Family Caregivers (24 Hours Before the Typhoon Arrives)
- Prepare enough medicine, drinking water, and food for 3 days per person
- Confirm the location and contact information for each vulnerable family member
- Ensure flashlights and power banks are fully charged; place wheelchairs and canes in easily accessible locations
- Record phone numbers for the community committee, neighborhood committee, 120 emergency services, and utility repair services
- If evacuation is necessary, complete it **before dark