Be Hurricane ready
Courtesy of Ralph's Tropical Weather
Medic-Alert tags: Is there someone in your family with a medical condition or allergy that doesn't have a form of Identification? Well if there is, make sure you order a medic-alert tag for those who need it. It may mean a matter of life or death.
Elderly with medical needs: Elderly which require special medical equipment like oxygen, special bed, special medical care or treatment need to make arrangement with their Primary Doctor so he or she can determine where they are to stay.
If they need transportation to a hospital or shelter they need to register now with their local emergency management office.
If they are staying in a well equipped home with family members and require oxygen tanks for their condition make sure to call for extra tanks ahead of time.
Insect repellent sprays and candles: Standing water after hurricane will enhance the mosquito and insect population. It's a must to have insect repellent or Citronella candles on hand in the event that you may have to sleep outdoors due to structural damage to your home, condo or apartments.
A two-week supply of prescription medication is a must: Make sure to have your doctor call in an extra month refills for yourself or those family members that require prescribed medication. Power outage, down power lines and road obstruction will make it dangerous for you to drive after the storm.
Feminine Hygiene items: I don't have to stress how important these items are for Ladies. Make sure you have plenty on hand for your special needs.
Sunscreen: During a hurricane a lot of people are forced to camp outside of their devastated homes. Make sure you have Sunscreen lotion available in case you need it. If your shadow is longer than you are, the sun´s rays are not as damaging as they are during their peak hours, but you should still wear a sunscreen with and SPF of at least 15 or higher. Apply another coat every hour since your sweat renders it in affective.
First Aid Kit and a current First Aid handbook: Pick up a fully equipped first-aid kit and a current first-aid book which you can pickup at a local book store or request it from your local Red-Cross Chapter. (Don't know if there is a fee or donation required you might want to ask.)
Have extra over-the counter adult medicine (Cold, allergies, and cough medication): These are important essentials for your hurricane kit.. Start today!
Children's medicine and fever reliever: This is also an important part of your hurricane kit. Start planning today!
Adult Aspirin and Pain Reliever (Tylenol etc..): Another must for your hurricane kit. Stress can produce nasty headaches!
Important: If you drink beer after a storm or some sort of alcoholic beverage DO NOT drink Tylenol, Aleeve / pain relievers. This can cause liver damage or liver failure. The best thing to do is not to ingest alcoholic beverages at all.
Facts: Drinking a beer or alcoholic beverage in the heat may feel refreshing, but in fact it raises your body temperature, and makes you thirstier which causes you to dehydrate faster. So drink plenty of water or a cool soda or Gatorade instead. Also if you are drinking Gatorade, make sure to supplement with your food 200mg of magnesium vitamin. Too much Gatorade depletes the magnesium from your body which could lead to heart failure
Cotton tip swabs: Always handy to have for personal care.
Remember not to use cotton swabs to clean the inside of your child’s ear. This will cause the ear wax to far back into the ear canal and cause an ear ache or infection. Swabs should be used to clean the exterior of the ear only. They can also be used as an anti-bacterial wound cream applicator.
Antiseptic solution and cream: Hydrogen Peroxide and Neo-sporin! A must for your first aid kit, and a bottle of distilled sterilized water to clean wounds. Remember you can not use Hydrogen Peroxide on some wounds. Also have some burn cream on hand, in your first aid kit.
Ear Drops: There isn't anything worse than someone with an ear ache and no drops to relieve the pain. It's always a good idea to ask your doctor which drops to purchase. This is a must so don't forget!
Thermometer: Children get sick often with colds and some get high fever, which is dangerous. Always have an electronic or glass thermometer handy in your first-aid kit!
Tweezers, needles, medical gloves and N95 Dust Mask: You can keep these handy in your first-aid kit!
First-Aid, Medical Needs & Personal Items
Session 3
