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How to Provide First Aid for Burns

We've all probably burned our skin at one point in our lives. Some more serious than others. When burns are more severe, medical attention is required. Until help arrives, it is important to know how to provide first aid for burns. Whether it's from staying out at the beach too long or burning our hand on the stove, burns are a painful and sometimes dangerous affliction of the skin.

Before providing first aid for burns, however, it's important to know all you can about the nature of burns. Burns range from minor to severe, have many symptoms and are caused by many different things. Let's take a quick crash course in everything you need to know about burns.

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Everything You Need to Know about Burns

How to Manage the Pain

How to Provide First Aid for Burns

Final Thoughts

Everything You Need to Know about Burns

Burns are defined as "damage to the skin caused by extreme heat," but there is much more to it than that. Burns are caused by many different things and circumstances. The symptoms of burns are numerous, and severities of burns range from very minor to life-threatening. It's important to know the distinctions of each before providing first aid for burns.

What Causes Burns?

Symptoms of Burns

First-Degree Burns

Second-Degree Burns

Third-Degree Burns

How to Manage the Pain

Image Source: Pixabay

Burn pain is one of the most prolonged and intense types of pains. Burn pain is hard to control due to a number of factors. These factors include its unique characteristics, its various components, and its ever-changing patterns. Treating the burns may cause just as much pain as the burns themselves as the dressings must be changed, and the wounds cleaned. Many studies have shown that burns require an aggressive treatment of pain.

How to Provide First Aid for Burns

lady with a black cloth covering her hair and eyes

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Before providing first aid for burns, it's important to determine the severity of the burn. The more severe they are, the more complex first aid for burns becomes. Let's break down by severity how to provide first aid for burns.

First Aid for All Burns

Is It a Minor Burn or a Major Burn?

First Aid for First-Degree Burns

First Aid for Second-Degree Burns

First Aid for Third-Degree Burns

Final Thoughts

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Burns can vary from very minor to very severe. Providing first aids for burns requires recognition of the severity of the burn. To determine the severity of the burn, it is important to know the different symptoms of burns. First-degree burns tend to be more of an annoyance more than a concern.

Second and third-degree burns, on the other hand, can be very serious and require doctor supervision. Third-degree burns are very serious and require you to call 911 immediately. Remember, before help arrives it is up to you to provide first aid for burns. Those first steps can be key to lessening the severity of the overall situation.

Local Fires: 10 Ways To Stay Safe And Protect Yourself

Local fires can be extremely hazardous events. There is perhaps nothing more frightening than seeing flames inside your home or smelling smoke. Fires may originate within the house accidentally or in your neighborhood. In either case, local fires can cause severe damage to property, burn injuries, explosions, and even loss of life. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), you have only one or two minutes to leave your house after the sound of the smoke or fire alarms. A few simple steps can keep you safe during fires and protect you from life-threatening injuries and destruction of your belongings.

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What Causes Local Fires?

10 Ways to Protect Yourself During a Fire

Tips to Prevent Local Fires

Conclusion

Fire safety policies are generally put into place at the time of construction of the building. The local fire department also has regulations for responding to local fires. However, the first response in case of local fires should come from you. Read on to know more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones when there are local fires.

What Causes Local Fires?

Local fires may be caused due to a variety of reasons. Some local fires occur due to incidents inside your home while wildfires ignite in open areas outside the home. Wildfires are unplanned ignition due to natural reasons or human intervention. Many times, a discarded cigarette, a campfire, or even arson has been reported as the cause of wildfires. Winds stoke these fires, and they can spread across large areas.

Wildland fires are typically classified from type 5 to 1. Type 5 fires are the least severe, while type 1 wildland fires are the most complex. Type 5 fires are generally managed with local resources. Type 1 fires require extensive handling and up to 500 to 1000 personnel may be needed to control the fire situation.

Local fires that initiate at home may be caused due to carelessness, mishandling of electric equipment, accidental events, or sometimes by children who are unaware of fire-related dangers. In general, the types of local fires have been classified into 5 categories based on causes:

Class A fires involve solids such as paper, plastic, cloth, or wood
Class B fires pertain to flammable fluids such as oils or gasoline
Class C fires are related to electrical equipment
Class D fires involve metals such as aluminum
Class K fires occur due to cooking oils

Fire management of each fire is different. Some fires may need a special kind of extinguisher. It helps to know what’s causing the problem when the firefighters arrive and also if you are trying to put out local fires yourself with a fire extinguisher.

10 Ways to Protect Yourself During a Fire

In the case of local fires, you need to know how you can stay safe and prevent burn injuries. It is essential not to panic and to remain calm in the event of local fires. Things will always be easy to manage if you are prepared for a fire crisis.

Self before Stuff

When a fire erupts, you may get anxious about any of your belongings getting damaged. However, you must put aside your worries about any object or article no matter how valuable it is and focus entirely on your safety. You need to ensure your safety and those of your loved ones and pets first and only later concern yourself with any material thing.

Try Extinguishing the Fire

If local fires start at home, you may extinguish them by using a fire extinguisher. However, fire extinguishers are not the same for all types of fires. The types are color-coded as below:

Water – labeled red
Foam – labeled cream
Dry powder – marked blue
Carbon dioxide – labeled black
Wet chemical – tagged yellow

You will need to know about the type of fire extinguisher you have so it is effective against the fire you are trying to put out. Make sure the size of the combustion is manageable with a fire extinguisher. If you think the fire is spreading or becoming too dangerous, focus on protecting yourself and loved ones, rather than extinguishing the fire.

Make the Call

If you are feeling helpless during a fire, grab your phone and call 911 or 999 which is the number for the Fire and Rescue Service. If you cannot remember the resources to contact, place a call to any of your friends or relatives and instruct them to call the emergency public service numbers.

Look for the Nearest Exit

If a fire erupts in your home or surroundings when you are in a building, do not panic. Stay calm and think carefully about the location of the nearest exit such as a door or window. Try to remember any pre-planned escape route that you may have marked out and practiced. Calmly guide your family or friends along the escape route and leave the building. If nothing has been planned previously, locate the nearest exit and leave the building as soon as possible.

Get Low, Stay Low

Smoke released by a fire is always toxic. The flames emanating from a fire are less harmful than the poisonous gases that can suffocate you. It is best to stay low with your head about 12 to 24 inches off the ground. You can remain under the fumes of the fire by staying close to the ground and avoid inhalation of smoke.

Avoid the Elevators

You may feel elevators will take you down to the nearest exit faster than the stairway, but that’s a lousy idea in case of a fire. Why? Because the electrical circuits of a lift may become dysfunctional or ‘short’ during a fire. You will be trapped in a non-functional elevator with no escape route. Further, smoke and gases from the fire may enter the lift and suffocate you. Always use the stairs and stay clear of elevators in the event of a fire in your building.

Check for Fires before Opening Doors

You will look for the nearest door or window to escape from a fire. However, you may need to open a few doors or cross some rooms before you reach the closest exit. Do not open doors blindly. Instead, check to see if there is a fire in the room that you are about to step into. You can check for a possible ignition in the place you are about to enter by following a few steps:

Touch a door before opening to see if it is very warm or hot
Look for flames or smoke emanating from a room through door cracks
Check if the doorknob is hot even if the door is cool

In case there is no smoke coming in from the next room and the door and doorknob of the room are cool, you can carefully open the door and head to the exit. If a fire is there in the next area, quickly shut the door of that room tightly.

Stop, Drop, Roll

Stop, drop and then roll sounds like the catchy lyrics of a song, but this sequence can save your life in case of local fires. In case any part of your clothes catch fire, you need to stop moving, drop on the floor and roll on the ground to put out the flames.

Evacuate Immediately

In the case of wildfires, your regional fire department may give out an evacuation order. It is essential to leave your home as soon as you receive the order. In case of home-based fires too, leave your house as quickly as possible and do not re-enter until you are sure it is safe to do so as per the firefighters’ advice.

Limit Smoke Exposure

With wildfires, the air around the fire contains dust, ash, and fine particles harmful to your breathing. Wear a mask and shut the windows and doors of your home to limit toxic air exposure. It is also best to avoid smoking or lighting gas stoves during a wildfire to reduce air pollution.

Tips to Prevent Local Fires

The critical aspect of fire safety is the prevention of local fires. You can protect yourself from fires by a few simple steps. Read on for a few tips to prevent local fires:

Install smoke detectors in every room of your house
Work out an escape route to use during fires
Plan and practice a fire-safety drill often
Teach children how to use flammable items and electric equipment safely
Turn off electrical goods and switches when not in use
Try to smoke outdoors only
Extinguish campfires completely
Drench outdoor areas with water before starting a planned fire
Learn about fire extinguishers and the use of each type

Conclusion

Local fires are one of the leading causes of injury and death. They can cause devastation to life and property. You can protect yourself and your loved ones by following the points discussed above. Please remember that your life is more precious than any commodity in your house. Stay safe during local fires and once you are safe, try to help others in danger.

Treatment For Shock: 10 First Aid Information You Need To Know

Shock is a life-threatening medical emergency, and you should seek medical treatment for shock immediately. One of the main symptoms is low blood pressure. You may also feel faint or weak, have a weak or rapid pulse, cold and clammy skin, or shallow, rapid breathing.

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What Is Shock?

What Are the Different Types of Shock?

Is There a Need to Seek Medical Treatment for Shock?

Shock | Everything You Need to Know

Basic First Aid

Conclusion

Treatment will depend on the cause of the shock being experienced. Tests will be run to determine the cause, IV fluids are usually given, as well as medication to raise blood pressure.

What Is Shock?

Shock will occur when there is an inefficient flow of fluids through the body which is life-threatening. It is often the result of an illness or severe injury. Types of shock include emotional or psychological shock and medical shock.

Emotional or Psychological Shock

Medical Shock

What Are the Different Types of Shock?

Neurogenic Shock

Hypovolemic Shock

Cardiogenic Shock

Anaphylactic Shock

Septic Shock

Is There a Need to Seek Medical Treatment for Shock?

If you suspect a person is in shock after an injury immediately call 911 or take them to an emergency center as soon as possible. You can save a person’s life by getting them medical attention immediately. When treatment for shock is done quickly, there is less chance of damage to vital organs. The sooner treatment for shock is done, the better.

Treatment

Treatment will be different depending on the type of shock. Generally, administering large amounts of fluids is done to raise the blood pressure (fluid resuscitation) with an IV. This is done either in the emergency room or the ambulance and is the first-line treatment for shock for all types. The doctor will then add medications to the fluids to ensure blood is flowing to vital organs and to raise blood pressure. Tests will be done such as EKGs, blood tests, and X-rays to determine the cause of shock and to see if the cause is an underlying illness.

Call 911

Call 911 immediately if you suspect someone is in shock
Don’t hesitate to see if the symptoms get worse before seeking assistance
Stay with the person until help comes and stay on 911 to listen to further instructions
Turn the person on their side if they are bleeding from their mouth or vomiting
Don’t raise their head
Elevate their feet approximately 12 inches above their head; if their back, neck, or head is injured or if you think they have a broken leg or hip bones, then don’t do this

Start CPR if needed

If the person isn’t breathing or their breath is weak, start CPR for children or adult CPR; continue until the person is breathing or help arrives
If on the way to the emergency room or waiting for help, check the person’s airway, breathing, and circulation
If they are breathing on their own, check their breath every 2 minutes until medical assistance arrives

Treat Injuries

Apply pressure to wounds that are severely bleeding
Administer first aid for injuries

Keep the Person Warm and Comfortable

Loosen tight clothing
Cover with a blanket or a coat
Keep them still and don’t move them unless they are in danger
Keep them calm and reassured
Don’t give fluids even if the person says they are thirsty as they may choke if they suddenly lose consciousness

Shock | Everything You Need to Know

Causes

There can be several reasons for shock to occur that include the following:

Constant diarrhea or vomiting
Burns
Spinal or neurologic shock
Severe anaphylactic or allergic reaction
Infection, or septic shock
Dehydration from heat illness
Heavy external or internal bleeding from a blood vessel or a serious injury
Heart conditions such as heart failure or a heart attack

Symptoms

Rapid heart rate, or tachycardia, and low blood pressure are the main symptoms of shock. The symptoms include the following:

Weakness
Fainting or dizziness
Weak, rapid pulse
Clammy, cold skin
Shallow, rapid breathing

Depending on what type of shock you are experiencing, the following symptoms can be seen:

Chest pain
Sweating
Bluish fingernails and lips
No urine or low amounts
Unresponsiveness or confusion
Seizures
Agitation or anxiety
Eyes that appear to be staring

Prevention

If you know you have an allergy to something, carry an Epi-pen with you at all times which you can obtain from your doctor with a prescription. Avoid things that cause you to have an allergic reaction. Learn how you can prevent shock by preventing dehydration, injury, and heart disease.

Basic First Aid

You can perform these while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

Cardiac Arrest

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is the most important thing to do in the treatment for shock. If a person’s heart has stopped pumping blood and CPR is not done, they will die. Using an AED, or an automated external defibrillator, or CPR may save their life. It’s best to take a CPR course at a fire department, Red Cross center, community college, or a medical center to learn this procedure. AEDs are available in many businesses and public areas. They don’t require training to use. CPR training will review how to use this device. American Red Cross and American Heart Association recommend doing the following:

Calling 911
Starting chest compressions fast and hard in the center of the chest, allow recoil between compressions, and turn over to medical personnel when they arrive
If you have been trained, use rescue breathing and chest compressions
Use an AED if there is one available, but don’t delay chest compressions

Bleeding

Most bleeding will stop on its own, but if it is severe, it could lead to shock or death. Take these steps to control bleeding:

Cover the wound with either cloth or gauze and apply direct pressure to stop blood flow; don’t remove the cloth and add more if needed as it will help to form clots
Don’t apply a tourniquet as it may damage the limb

Bee Stings

These can be painful and deadly if you are allergic. Use these tips while waiting for assistance:

Remove the stinger to prevent further venom from being delivered
If you know the person is allergic, use an Epi-pen or call 911 if you don’t have one
Use an ice pack to reduce swelling
Take an antihistamine such as Benadryl to reduce itching and swelling
Tylenol or ibuprofen are good for pain relief
Monitor the person for signs of anaphylaxis that include itching, redness, hives, and shortness of breath

Conclusion

Seeking prompt treatment for shock is required for the best results. Your results will depend on how fast your treatment for shock was applied, your recovery, your overall health, and the reason for the shock. Spinal shock is the most difficult to treat, as the spinal cord is responsible for many of the body’s important functions. There are few effective treatments but research is making progress in the treatment of these injuries.Cardiogenic shock has a survival rate of 33% because it is the result of dysfunction or injury to the heart. This makes it difficult to treat and recover from. Septic shock has a mortality rate of 24-50%. The faster the infection is treated, the great chance of success. Hospitals are now using specific treatments to identify septic shock and treat them aggressively. Hypovolemic and anaphylactic shock respond well to early medical treatment.

We hope this article has shed light on what shock is and the proper treatment of shock. Remember, if you suspect that you or someone else may be experiencing shock, do not delay – follow this guideline, and seek help immediately.

10 Disaster Relief Charities: Where to Go for Help After a Disaster

When disaster strikes you or your family, it’s normal to feel helpless. It is natural to be frightened and to wonder where to turn to find the aid you’ll need to get through to the next day. But there are many places to go for help. Disaster relief charities exist and will reach out to any community in need. Whether it’s medical care, food, and water, shelter, hygiene products, spiritual guidance, or even cold hard cash, you can find what you need to get you by after a disaster. Even once the initial shock and the need for immediate relief subsides, many organizations will help with repairs.

Disaster Relief Charities

These groups are dedicated to helping those who have been affected by disasters. It is literally what they are there for. So, take advantage of their services in any way you can. The best plan is to know which organizations are available locally before disaster strikes. Therefore, make it part of your disaster preparedness plan. Find out which humanitarian groups are available in your area. Consider whether or not you have a strong preference for taking aid from a secular organization versus a religious one. Then, ask for help when you need it.

American Red Cross

disaster relief charities — Image CC0, by ErikLyngsoe, via Pixabay

The American Red Cross is a secular, volunteer-led humanitarian organization. This massive organization provides not only disaster relief, but also blood donations, safety training, international relief services, and aid for military families. The American Red Cross’ mission statement declares that the organization “prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.”

The Red Cross offers medical care, financial assistance, and emergency communication at no cost to those in need. It also operates disaster shelters across the country.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian organization that provides some services to those in crisis. This organization offers disaster relief, financial assistance, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and aid for veterans and the elderly. The Salvation Army also vows to end human trafficking, domestic violence, gang violence, LGBTQ issues, poverty, and unemployment. The Salvation Army operates thrift stores located across the country as well. While there is no cost to receive assistance from The Salvation Army, you may be expected to spread the organization’s religious agenda.

United Way

The United Way is a secular volunteer organization that specializes in responding to poverty and its effects on health, education, and stability. United Way’s 211 program allows anyone in need of help to dial 211 from any phone. Dialing that number puts the caller in touch with local relief services. This includes disaster relief, emergency alerts, mental health support, shelters, domestic violence assistance, housing and utility assistance, employment services, healthcare information, and aid for veterans.

World Vision

World Vision is a global Christian humanitarian organization. Although the organization identifies itself as religious, it stresses that its services are available to all people of all faiths, as well as those who do not practice religion at all. World Vision’s focus is mostly on connecting children in third world countries with sponsors. The sponsors pay a monthly fee to help provide those children with food, drinking water, and access to education. The organization also provides relief in the event of a disaster.

Learn more about World Vision below:

Samaritan’s Purse

Samaritan’s Purse is another Christian organization dedicated to helping people around the world in the name of Jesus. This organization, devoted to global disaster response, stockpiles supplies in warehouses all over the globe. When disaster strikes, they hand out food, water, cooking utensils, food, blankets, tents, and rain gear. Samaritan’s Purse also supplies hospitals with medical supplies and dispatches medical teams to areas where people have no access to emergency medical care.

Episcopal Relief and Development

Episcopal Relief and Development is the official organization of the Episcopal Church. It focuses on four distinct goals: hunger, healthcare, economic opportunities, and disaster relief. This organization has a well-developed U.S. Disaster Program, which proved key in response to the 2017 hurricane season. Episcopal Relief and Development offers a wealth of disaster preparedness education resources on its website.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities serves communities with over 160 agencies across the United States. Each agency offers social services customized for the specific community it serves. Catholic Charities is the official disaster relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church. The organization provides direct long-term and short-term aid to relief victims. The aid they provide often includes food, water, home repairs, rebuilding, and cash assistance.

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is the humanitarian organization of the United Methodist Church. This organization and its donors ship disaster relief kits around the world. Cleaning kits, Hygiene kits, and school kids are designed to help people keep living their daily lives after surviving a disaster. Volunteers can go to the UMC’s website to find instructions for assembling relief kits and to print shipping labels. They can then ship supplies directly to The United Methodist Committee on Relief for distribution.

Operation Blessing

Operation Blessing is a non-denominational Christian organization that vows to ease global human suffering through the “demonstration of God’s love.” This organization aids not only those affected by natural disasters but also refugees fleeing war-torn countries. This includes housing, food, shelter, and medical care. Operation Blessing also runs a program called Extreme Blessing Home Makeover, which rebuilds the home of those affected by disasters at no charge.

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD)

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is an association of over 50 organizations that provide disaster relief services. These include religious, secular, and government-sponsored disaster relief charities where people affected by disasters can go for help in an emergency. Anyone with the proper experience can become a member of the NVOAD and help to coordinate disaster relief efforts by applying on the official National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website.

How You Can Help

Every organization on this list relies at least mostly on donations and volunteers to provide disaster relief services for those in need. Donating is easier than ever. Just plug in the website of the disaster relief charities of your choice and donate instantly. But, don’t feel like you can’t help if you’re not able to afford to make a monetary donation. Time or item donations are also essential. Maybe you have a basement full of old camping equipment. This could provide shelter and safety for someone displaced by a hurricane. Or, perhaps you make a mean homemade chicken soup and would enjoy handing out hot meals to those in need of nourishment. Contact one of the disaster relief charities in your community, and find out what they need. Some will even arrange pick-up or transportation if you want to volunteer.

Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help in your time of need. And encourage your friends and family to do the same. There is no need to suffer when is available needlessly. Reach out to disaster relief charities that provide relief if you’ve been affected by a disaster. Then, ask them what they can do to help you survive as comfortably as possible. The number of services available may surprise you. Many even go beyond the primary responsibility of handing out bottled water, food and supplies. Many disaster relief organizations also provide cash assistance, housing, medical care, and even counseling, if you apply for them.

Be Prepared

Preparedness is always the best plan, so choose an organization before you desperately need one. Create a disaster preparedness plan and review it often. Encourage your friends, family, and everyone else in your community to do the same. Consider donating money or volunteering your time. Choose the disaster relief charities you and your family would most likely turn to if you found yourselves in need. Then, you won’t feel like you’re getting something for nothing if you end up needing their services some day. Even if you never do, you’ll feel good. You’ll know that you’ve helped people at what was probably their lowest, most vulnerable moment in life. And you’ll know that there are people out there who will make sure that you are taken care of, should you ever end up on the other side of the disaster equation.

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Tips On Handling a Disaster and Finding Disaster Financial Assistance

Often occurring with little to no warning, disasters leave you feeling overwhelmed and helpless. While dealing with life and limb during a disaster, financial assistance may not be your first thought. Soon, though, financial fears intensify the initial loss, confusion, and damages you are dealing with. After a disaster financial assistance is the only hope many survivors have.

There are many things that you need to know after a disaster. Financial assistance, and where to find it is one of them. Whether you are trying to file FEMA paperwork, or simply trying to discover your options after having been in the path of a disaster, we gathered the information you need to find help.

What to do After Being Hit with a Disaster

wildfire in southern california showing flames eating pine tall trees, many people needed disaster financial assistance after this fire — Image: Public domain, by Bureau of Land Management, via Wikipedia

No matter how well you plan, and no matter how much advance notice you have, when a disaster hits, it’s devastating. People lose their valuables, their homes and sometimes even their lives. Even a small tornado can cost a small business owner their livelihood. A flood can leave a family without a home, or even basic necessities.

Fortunately, for most disasters, you aren’t alone. There are resources available for disaster victims that can help them get back on their feet.

Before returning to examine the damage, stay tuned to your radio to make sure it’s safe to go back home. In many cases, there are lingering after-effects, such as floods, earthquake aftershocks, and in the case of fire, burning embers.

Despite the fact that the immediate danger may have passed, your home might still be a minefield of hazards. Even if your home doesn’t show significant damage, dangers could be lurking. You could have loose nails, loose debris and damage to your home’s (or your business’s) structure. Tread carefully and keep your children and pets out until you know it’s safe.

Stay away from loose wires and falling debris. Back away if something doesn’t look stable. If you smell gas, evacuate immediately and call the gas company. Stay away from electrical wires and anything you may have left plugged in if the area is flooded.

Assess the damage

Once you’re safely back in your home, it’s time to assess the damage. Inventory all damaged and missing items. Hopefully, your receipts were with your emergency supplies, or at least a copy on a flash drive.

You should immediately contact your insurance company and your mortgage company. Try to get an idea of what your insurance company will and will not cover.

Disaster Financial Assistance — Image: Public Domain, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, via Wikimedia

What is the Federal Emergency Management Agency?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a government agency under the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s mission statement is simple. They help “people before, during, and after disasters.”

While the federal government has nearly always been there to help victims of both natural and manmade disasters (such as acts of war, like 9/11), FEMA was established in 1979 in an effort to centralize services. FEMA coordinates with local and state governments to help prepare for disasters, which includes helping stabilize infrastructure and buildings.

During a disaster, they help provide food, water, clothing, shelter and medical assistance. They can also provide grants to disaster victims.

What kind of disaster relief assistance does FEMA offer states and localities?

Before disasters ever hit, FEMA coordinates with other government agencies and volunteer agencies to help them prepare for disasters. Training can be in the form of “tabletop discussions” to drills.

They also either partially or fully fund emergency management programs in all 50 states.

After a disaster, FEMA helps provide grants and loans to devastated areas. The funds can rebuild homes, repair roads and bridges, clear debris, rebuild businesses and government facilities, and restore utilities, water, sewer, and other essential services.

Where to Get Disaster Financial Assistance

There are several organizations that offer disaster financial assistance, both governmental and non-governmental. The two best known are the FEMA, which is governmental, and the Red Cross, which is non-governmental. Both can help with food and shelter. FEMA offers financial assistance to cover what your insurance doesn’t.

If a FEMA grant doesn’t cover all your needs, you may qualify for a low-interest loan from the Small Business Administration. There are several other non-governmental charities that help with disasters. Here is a list from FEMA.

How to apply for individual disaster assistance

Fortunately, there are several places to find individual and small business disaster financial assistance. Some needs to be repaid and some doesn’t. Go to:

DisasterAssistance.gov — If your area has been declared a disaster area by the President of the United States, you may qualify for FEMA assistance. This is a grant that you don’t have to pay back. You can apply online or you can apply locally in a number of designated disaster recovery centers. You can also call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 1-800-462-7585) or visit FEMA.gov. FEMA may be able to help you with temporary housing as well.

Both homeowners and small businesses may qualify for low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration. The loans may cover what your insurance and FEMA don’t.

Even the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is there to help in times of disaster. They have any number of tax relief packages for people and businesses struggling with disaster cleanup.

For immediate need, contact the Red Cross for help with temporary shelter, food, and clean water. Unlike with FEMA, the Red Cross can help with individual disasters, such as house fires.

How to apply for disaster unemployment assistance

If a disaster has wiped out your place of work, or if you aren’t able to work because of a disaster, you may qualify for disaster unemployment assistance. To qualify you must have lost your job (either permanently or temporarily) as a direct result of a natural disaster, as declared by the President. One of the following must apply:

You no longer have a job
Your place of work is unreachable
Damage makes work impossible
You are seeking work because the head of the household died in the disaster
The disaster made you physically unable to work

If one of the above applies to you, apply through your state unemployment office. If you evacuate your home state because of the disaster, contact your previous state’s unemployment office. You must file within 30 days of the announcement of availability.

For further assistance, call 1-877-872-5627. If you are hearing impaired, call the TTY number at 1-877-889-5627. You can also visit the Disaster Unemployment Assistance website.

Understanding the bureaucracy of government disaster financial assistance

Disaster financial assistance red tape — Image: CC BY 3.0 Unported, by fotoedukacja, via Wikimedia

While FEMA is by far the largest governmental disaster assistance organization, they aren’t the only one. They also work with the Individuals and Households Program (IHP), Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The responsibilities break down as follows:

FEMA

Housing assistance — FEMA offers help with rent for people who are displaced by a disaster
Rental and mortgage assistance — If the disaster causes financial hardship to the point where a person might be at risk of losing their home, FEMA will step in and help
Home repairs — FEMA will help restore a home to habitability. They will also help replace essential items
Critical needs — FEMA can help pick up the tab for food, medications, medical equipment, personal hygiene items, baby formula and diapers, and other critical needs

SBA

The Small Business Administration offers low-interest loans to business owners, homeowners, and renters to help repair damages not covered by insurance.

IHP

For those not covered by the SBA, the Individuals and Households Program can provide disaster financial assistance grants for repairs, household assistance, job essentials (including transportation), medical care, dental care, childcare, funeral costs and temporary housing reimbursement. Unlike FEMA and the SBA, the IHP is administered by state agencies.

DUA

The Disaster Unemployment Agency works in tandem with state unemployment agencies to provide unemployment assistance for those who are out of work due to a disaster.

SNAP

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a branch of the Department of Agriculture. They step in to help provide food to disaster victims. The food is administered on a state or local level.

There are other federal, state, and local agencies that step in as well, but the good news is, that almost all money is funneled through FEMA, which minimizes the bureaucracy for people who are already suffering and in need of disaster financial assistance.

Only citizens and “qualified” immigrants are eligible for long-term assistance, however, if at least one member of the household is “qualified,” the household may be eligible.

FEMA does not currently coordinate with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, so victims do not need to worry about being deported. All immigrants, regardless of status, can receive short-term relief, such as food and other non-cash items.

Some Final Thoughts

Every year, millions of Americans suffer through storms, fires, earthquakes, floods and volcanoes. In some cases, even extreme weather can qualify as a natural disaster. No one wants to live through a disaster whether natural or manmade. Fortunately, our government is able to provide disaster financial assistance to those in need. If you are affected by a national disaster, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Image: Public Domain, by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, via Wikimedia