Managing diabetes can be even harder when you are dealing with an earthquake, major storm, loss of electricity, or 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 should be stored in an easy-to-carry, waterproof bag or container, to hold documents, information, and supplies 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 diabetes medications, if possible
- A copy of your most recent laboratory results
- Make, model and serial number of your insulin pump or CGM. Include the pump manufacturer’s customer support phone number (24/7 support)
- 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
- One week supply (or more) of all medications, including insulin and Glucagon (unexpired!)
- Supplies to check your blood sugar. Don’t forget extra batteries!
- Extra supplies for insulin pump or CGM
- Extra syringes or pen needles
- Alcohol swabs
- 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 low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), such as:
- Juice
- Hard candy (not sugar-free)
- Regular soda
- Glucose tablets
- Honey
- Glucagon
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.
References
Adapted from American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)—My Diabetes Emergency Plan. For additional emergency preparation resources for people with diabetes, visit My Diabetes Emergency Plan.
Diabetes Disaster Response Coalition