During disasters, emergency services such as ambulances and hospitals may be unavailable … while the odds of an injury or sickness are greater. Every home should have basic medications. There should also be a first aid kit in every home and your car. Additional items can be added to your first aid kit based on your health or medical condition, from an extra pair of reading glasses to required prescription medicine. First aid kits are of limited use if we don’t know how to use them. You can take first aid courses onsite or online with the American Red Cross for less than $40. You can also download a free medical phone app such as the Red Cross First Aid app. It provides quick reference for emergency treatment and even allows scheduling first aid training, but it’s important to have a hard copy as a backup, such as the pocket sized EMS Field Guide.
If you take medications for a long-term or chronic condition, it’s critical to have a reasonable supply in case you can’t get to a pharmacy. With the exception of pain medications, most physicians are usually willing to prescribe an extra refill or longer refill period. Always fill prescriptions on the first day you’re eligible for a refill. It’s not good if a disaster happens on the 89th day of a 90-day refill. Keep in mind that drugs have a shelf life and should be kept in a cool dry place. You can usually extend the shelf life of most unopened, non-liquid drugs by refrigerating them. If you are able to obtain an emergency supply, establish a plan for rotating your supply so it remains up to date and check medication expiration dates.
I need to make a disclaimer – I’m not a medical professional and marrying one doesn’t count. If you have any medical conditions or questions consult a physician before applying anything you read here … and never run with scissors.
I can only cover a small part of the information from the book, but the Disaster Preparation talk will highlight many more tips and hacks. Held at Crystal Beach Community Church on Tuesday June 23rd at 5 pm, it’s open to everyone and there’s no charge. If you bring a copy of “Disaster Prepping For Dummies,” I’ll donate $10 per book to support the church’s many community outreach programs. We’ll also have local experts there to answer questions.
