Hurricanes can be incredibly destructive bringing lots of wind and rain over an extended period of time. Generations Family Practice wants to ensure that you are medically prepared in the event that our area is impacted by future storms. It’s important to have an Emergency Plan in place so that you can be prepared to respond quickly.
Many people understand how to prepare their home and property from damage but often overlook their medical needs during these extended emergencies. Creating an Emergency Medical Kit that includes typical emergency supplies is a good start.
Here are 8 tips to keep in mind while preparing your Emergency Medical Kit specific to your medical needs:
Emergency Medical Kit
- Medical Contact List –Maintain a list of phone numbers for your doctors, pharmacy, case manager, peer mentor, service providers and medical facilities. Tell your family and friends.
- Medication –FEMA recommends that you have a 1-week supply of your prescription medications on hand, 2 weeks if possible.
- Update List of Medications – Make sure your pharmacist has an updated list of the medications that you are currently taking. Ask if they are linked with any other pharmacies and get the contact information.
- Printed List of Medications – Ask your local pharmacy or doctor to provide a list of your prescription medicine and medically prescribed devices.
- Medical Records –Make hard copies and maintain electronic versions, including a portable thumb drive containing:
- Doctors’ orders for Durable Medical Equipment, Consumable Medical Supplies and assistive devices that you use. Include the style and serial numbers of the support devices you use and where you purchased them.
- Medical insurance cards, Medicare or Medicaid card, a list of your allergies, and your health history.
- List of Medications.
- Medical Alert Bracelet –If you own one, wear it.
- Additional Medical Supplies –If you need any additional medical supplies such as blood testing strips, bandages or insulin make sure you have a two week supply.
- Online Information –Make an index card with a important online insurance or website information on it and keep passwords in different secure location.
- Extra Pair of Glasses – This extra pair can be critical in an emergency.
- Special Needs –If you require special needs you can contact the Wake County Emergency Management office ahead of time, and tell them of your or your family member’s own needs. Ask about what help they can give.
Now that you are ready – Tell a friend or loved one to do the same! Share with a trusted friend or loved one that you are medically prepared and who to contact in case of emergency. This reference list is a simply a guide to assist you medically prepare for a hurricane. You should refer to other federal, state and local resources to make sure your are fully prepared. Stay safe!!!
Need Help During an Emergency?
To assist citizens during an emergency, a phone bank is set up in the EOC to handle requests for special assistance, receive reports of property damage, power outages and street blockings or closings. If you are in need of assistance with any of these items during an emergency, you should call 919-856-7044.
For any other questions about disasters, call Wake County Emergency Management at 919-856-6480
What Else Should I Prepare for an Emergency?
By the time severe weather hits, it’s already too late. Disaster preparedness is about having an established safety plan. A disaster supply kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. You should have a kit at home and also at your place of work. At work, try to include a pair of comfortable shoes in case you need to walk to a shelter area. It’s best to assume that in the event of an emergency or natural disaster, roads will be inaccessible by vehicles, and public transportation will be shut down.
Recommended Supplies To Include In A Basic Kit:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First Aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Infant formula and diapers, if you have an infant
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Clothing and Bedding:
If you live in a cold weather climate, you must think about warmth. It is possible that the power will be out and you will not have heat. Rethink your clothing and bedding supplies to account for growing children and other family changes. One complete change of warm clothing and shoes per person, including:
- A jacket or coat
- Long pants
- A long sleeve shirt
- Sturdy shoes
- A hat and gloves
- A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
Additional Supplies
Below are some other items for your family to consider adding to its supply kit. Some of these items, especially those marked with a * can be dangerous, so please have an adult collect these supplies.
- Emergency reference materials such as a first aid book or a print out of the information on www.ready.gov
- Rain gear
- Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
- Cash or traveler’s checks, change
- Paper towels
- Fire Extinguisher
- Tent
- Compass
- Matches in a waterproof container*
- Signal flare*
- Paper, pencil
- Personal hygiene items including feminine supplies
- Disinfectant*
- Household chlorine bleach*
- You can use bleach as a disinfectant (diluted nine parts water to one part bleach), or in an emergency you can also use it to treat water. Use 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
- Medicine dropper
- Important Family Documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
Use this checklist from Ready.gov (PDF) to build your disaster supply kit.
How to Make a Disaster Supply Kit for My Pet
Keep an Pet Evac Pak (or pillow case) and supplies handy for your pets. Make sure that everyone in the family knows where it is. This kit should be clearly labeled and easy to carry. Items to consider keeping in or near your pack include:
- Photocopies of medical records and a waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires (Remember, food and medications need to be rotated out of your emergency kit — otherwise they may go bad or become useless)
- Pet first-aid kit and guide book (ask your vet what to include, or visit the ASPCA Store to buy one online)
- 3-7 days-worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food (be sure to rotate every two months)
- Disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans are perfect)
- Litter or paper toweling
- Liquid dish soap and disinfectant
- Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
- Pet feeding dishes
- Extra collar or harness as well as an extra leash
- Bottled water, at least 7 days’ worth for each person and pet (store in a cool, dry place and replace every two months)
- A traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet
- Flashlight
- Blanket (for scooping up a fearful pet)
- Recent photos of your pets (in case you are separated and need to make “Lost” posters)
- Especially for cats: Pillowcase or Pet Evac Pak, toys, scoopable litter
- Especially for dogs: Extra leash, toys and chew toys, a week’s worth of cage liner
Source: ASPCA.org
