Managing diabetes can be even harder when you are dealing with a major storm, loss of electricity, and possible evacuation from your home. Building a “diabetes kit” now can save a lot of worry and time when a disaster strikes.
Your diabetes kit can be stored in an easy-to-carry waterproof bag or container to hold the documents, information, and supplies that you will want to have with you.
Important Information to Keep In Your Kit – Write down or copy the following:
- Type of diabetes you have
- Other medical conditions, allergies, and previous surgeries
- Current medications, doses, and time you take them. Include your pharmacy name,address and phone number.
- Previous diabetes medications you have taken
- A letter from your diabetes care team with a list of your most recent diabetesmedications, if possible.
- A copy of your most recent laboratory result, like A1C results
- Make,modelandserialnumberofyourinsulinpumporCGM.Includepumpmanufacturer’s phone number in case you need to replace your device.
- Doctor’s name, phone number, and address
- Phone numbers and email addresses for your family, friends, and work.Include out-of-town contacts.
- A copy of your health insurance card
- A copy of your photo ID
- Cash
Diabetes Supplies
• Additional week supply (or more) of all medications, including insulin and Glucagon, if prescribed.
If you lose power and you have unused insulin, don’t throw it out! In an emergency, it is okay to use expired or non-refrigerated insulin.
• Protect your insulin pump from water.
• Supplies to check your blood sugar, like testing strips and lancets. Don’t forget extra batteries! • Extra supplies for insulin pump or CGM
• Cooler and reusable cold packs
• Note: Do NOT use dry ice and do not freeze the medication
• Empty plastic bottle or sharps container to safely carry syringes, needles and lancets • Items to treat high blood sugar such as pump supplies (infusion sets) and/or syringes • Items to treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), like:
• Juice
• Regular soda • Honey
Other Supplies to Pack
• Hard candy (not sugar-free) • Glucose tablets
• Glucagon
• 2-day supply of non-perishable ready-to-go food, like:
• Pre-packaged tuna, beans, cheese and cracker snacks etc. • Nuts or nut butters
• High-fiber/protein granola bars
• Dried fruits
• Anything according to dietary restrictions
• A 3-day supply of bottled water (or more)
• Pen/pencilandnotepadtorecordbloodsugar,othertestresultsandanynewsigns/symptoms • First aid supplies like bandages, cotton swabs, and antibiotic ointments or creams
• Extra clothing, including socks and undergarments
• Cell phone and charging supplies for phone and pump including battery pac
• Flashlight and batteries
Other Recommendations
- Make sure that all your vaccinations are up-to-date.
- Choose a meeting place with your family in case you are separated.Write down location and include in your kit.
- Wear a medical ID or medical alert bracelet or other form of identification in case you areevacuated to a relief shelter.
- For children, write down name of school, address and phone number.