If you were to evacuate your home in the midst of a natural disaster, what would you think to grab; photo albums, jewelry, cash, and the family pet? Would your prescription medications make the list?
Here are a few quick items to pack to ensure your medications are ready to go in a short amount of time.
- A laminated list of medications and instructions, in case you need assistance communicating with others.
- A cooler bag for any medications that need to be kept cold.
- At least a week’s supply of your regular medications and medical supplies or as much as you can keep on hand.
- Copies of the style and serial numbers of any assistive devices such as oxygen tanks or asthma breathing treatment devices.
- Medical insurance cards, Medicare/Medicaid cards, physician contact information, list of your allergies and health history stored in a waterproof container.
- Extra batteries for hearing aids or extra hearing aids if you have them.
- Extra eyeglasses and backup supplies for any visual aids you use.
- Small first-aid kit with items like ace bandages, Band-Aids, feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.
- Any over-the-counter medications you take regularly such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
Your ability to recover from an emergency tomorrow may depend on the planning and preparation you do today. Be sure to visit http://www.getagameplan.org/ for more on storm safety and preparation.
