Additional Disaster Supplies and Tips for People with Diabetes

Medicines and Medical Supplies

Have at least a 2-week supply of your usual supplies and medicines, including insulin:

1. lancets
2. syringes
3. meter to measure blood sugar
4. meter strips
5. meter batteries
6. urine ketone strip
7. glucagon emergency kit
8. glucose tablets, soda with sugar, juice and hard candies
9. record book
10. hard-sided container to dispose of lancets and needles
11. blood pressure medicine, cholesterol medicine, and other regular medicine
12. over-the-counter medicines for aches and pains, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea
13. antiseptic wipes
14. hand sanitizer
15. cooler or cool pack for insulin (see Additional Tips).

Insulin pump supplies, including:

1. batteries for pump and remote control
2. reservoirs or prefilled cartridges
3. infusion sets
4. insertion devices
5. insulin for pump
6. any other supplies usually needed.

Important Information to Have on Hand:

1. Insurance or Medicare card
2. List of all medicines including insulin and over-the-counter medicines, with dosages
3. List of your doctors and their phone numbers
4. Your pharmacy phone number.
5. Food Supplies to Have on Hand
6. 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least one week
7. bread
8. crackers
9. peanut butter
10. nuts
11. milk that does not require refrigeration
12. unsweetened dry cereal
13. packages/cans of tuna, salmon, chicken
14. 7 cans of fruits not packed in sugar
15. 7 cans of soda with sugar
16. 7 cans of soda without sugar
17. manual can opener
18. disposable cups, plates, forks, knives, spoons.

Additional Tips

1. Keep all medicines and supplies together and close to you so you can collect and take them with you on short notice. Have a water proof container nearby to easily transport these items.
2. Try to follow your usual schedule for eating, medicine, and physical activity.
3. Check your blood sugar more often if your schedule, physical activity, or foods change.
4. Keep insulin at less than 86 degrees Fahrenheit insulin can be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days.
5. Do not freeze insulin. Do not keep insulin cool with dry ice.
6. Use cooler or Frio Cool Pack to keep insulin cool if no refrigeration. It can be used and reactivated hundreds of times by soaking it in tap water. It will stay cool up to 45 hours each time it is reactivated. http://www.medicool.com/diabetes/diabetes_travel_frio.html
7. Unopened Lantus should be stored in the refrigerator. If there is no refrigeration, avoid direct light and heat - can be stored in Frio Cool Pack.
8. Syringes may be re-used on yourself. While lancets should not be re-used, you may re-use them for yourself, if necessary.
9. Stress and sickness may raise your blood sugar.
10. Let people around you know you have diabetes and what they can do to help.
11. Wear a diabetes identification bracelet or necklace.

Please add any other supplies and medicines you think you might need because of your own special needs.