Planning Ahead for Emergencies

It's hard enough just remembering to take your medication, but there's something else you should think about. What if you were in an emergency, like a hurricane, and had to leave your home suddenly? What if you were trapped in your home because of a blizzard? What if you lost electrical power? Are you prepared?

Having an emergency plan is vital for someone with diabetes or another serious health condition. You may not give much thought to something that may never happen, but the nature of emergencies is that you cannot predict them.

Here is what you need to do:

• Store at least a weeks' worth of medication in your home. Be sure you can reach this supply easily and quickly, and keep it in a well-marked container, safe from moisture. Your doctor can give you advice on storing your supplies, especially if they are temperature sensitive. Tell others in your home or nearby about this kit and where it is.

• Make sure your emergency kit has extra batteries for any medical devices you use, such as hearing aids or glucose meters.

• Include style and serial numbers of devices like pacemakers.

• List your medications and dosages. Put this list in your kit. Include any medical devices, like a pacemaker. Give a copy of this list to a family member or neighbor. Also keep a copy in your kit. This list should include any allergies you have and contact numbers for your doctors and family members.

• Include a copy of your Medicare or insurance card.

• Put an extra pair of glasses and a set of dentures in your kit.

• Label your materials so that you and your family know what's what.

• Include bottled water or juice to help you take your pills.

• Stick in a pill splitter if you normally split your pills.

Other tips

• Be sure you have a support network of family and friends who can call and check on you.

• Wear a medical alert bracelet or ID to let people know you have a disability or medical condition.

• Contact your local government and ask them to place you on a list of people with disabilities. This way, you can be helped quickly if there is an emergency.

• Tell family and friends what they can do to help you. For instance, if you are someone with type 1 diabetes, a family member should know the signs of low blood sugar and what to do.

• Be sure your family members and doctor have a copy of your advance directive.

An emergency can happen at any time, anywhere. Be sure you are ready.

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External Sources American Diabetes Association U.S. Department of Homeland Security American Red Cross Ready America. Older Americans. Accessed April 11, 2007.

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.

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