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Diabetes Emergency Readiness
Emergencies happen anywhere; your home is no exception. Everyone is advised to have a plan in place in the case of an emergency. If you have diabetes, you must also consider proper diabetes care when creating your emergency plan.
For example, you may need to store 3 days worth of diabetes supplies. This could include oral medication, insulin, insulin delivery supplies, lancets, extra batteries for your meter and/or pump, and a quick-acting source of glucose. You may also want to have an extra glucagon emergency kit. All these items should be kept in an easy-to-identify container and stored in an easy to reach place.
Your emergency diabetes supply kit should contain a list of emergency contacts, plus your physician's orders. Wear medical identification that will enable colleagues, school staff members, or emergency medical personnel to identify and address medical needs, and keep an extra in your kit as well. If you are a parent of a diabetic child, it is important that your child's school has clearly identified the school staff members who will assist your child in the event of an emergency. A complete list of emergency contacts and your physician's orders should always be kept on file at school or daycare.
Take the time right now to gather supplies and inform those around you about your own or your child's diabetes. It may make a world of difference in maintaining blood glucose control and staying healthy under stressful emergency circumstances later on. Here are some items to consider for your emergency kit:
- A good cold storage container with pre-made ice, in case of loss of electricity for a short period.
- A FRIO cooling pack to protect your insulin. FRIO packs do not need ice.
- Flashlights with many sets of extra batteries.
- Candles and matches to light the candles, in case the power outage outlasts the flashlight batteries.
- Extra glucose meter, extra insulin(s), glucagon, syringes, lancets, blood test strips, ketone test strips (blood or urine), alcohol wipes, insulin pump supplies (if you use a pump), as well as non-diabetes medications such as anti-diarrhea medicine, anti-nausea medicine, and pain medicine. Be sure to replenish these supplies frequently so that all supplies are within their use date. Consider storing a minimum of two weeks worth of supplies. Put this all in a waterproof sandwich bag.
- Emergency glucose to treat hypoglycemia. Unopened packages of glucose tablets are good for a very long time.
- A general first aid kit with bandages, etc.
- A spare battery for your blood test meter and insulin pump.
- A current explanation of your diabetes management regimen, including dosages at various meal times. For pump users, this should include basal rates, insulin-to-carb ratios, and correction factors. If you subscribe to a medical identification service, include a print out of all of your information. Put this all in a waterproof sandwich bag.
- Bottled water, lots of it: several gallons per day per person might be needed. Many smaller bottles will make it easier to keep the water safe until use.
- A supply of non-perishable food, such as granola bars and canned goods. Foods that do not need to be heated are best. If you have canned food, be sure that you have a can opener. Oral electrolyte replacement such as powdered Gatorade is also recommended. Put boxed foods in waterproof sandwich bags.
- Disposable plates and utensils to eat the food, as well as napkins or paper towels to clean up.
- Emergency contact information for your diabetes team members and family members, including phone numbers (land and cell) and email addresses. Be sure to include contact information for relatives outside your immediate area. Put this in a waterproof sandwich bag.
- Copies of all prescriptions, not just for diabetes. And don't forget glasses or contacts prescriptions.
- An extra cell phone charger or pre-charged battery, or pre-paid long distance cards to help you communicate in case you need to evacuate.
- Some cash, both bills and coins. Coins can be helpful in getting food from vending machines and paying road tolls if you need to evacuate.
- If you live in a cold climate, consider storing blankets or sleeping bags near by. If you live in an area where hurricanes or flooding is a risk, consider keeping plastic ponchos or tarps nearby to help protect you from rain.
- A waterproof container with strike-anywhere matches.
- An extra house key.
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