Why am I at greater risk during a natural disaster? Stress, changes in physical activity or in the foods you eat may affect your blood glucose levels. You may not have access to medication or food, and no way of getting medical help. This means, you may not be able to look after your diabetes as you usually would. Having a plan and being ready for natural disasters reduces your risk of diabetes-related emergencies and life-threatening situations. How do I prepare a diabetes emergency kit? My diabetes plan for natural disasters has a checklist for preparing a diabetes emergency kit. It also has space for you to list your medical details and important contacts. The plan will help you to prepare a portable, waterproof diabetes emergency kit to take with you if you need to leave at short notice. Keep the plan and your kit together. Check the expiry date of your supplies every 3 months and make sure the medical information and contacts on the plan are kept up to date. The plan is available in English and eight other languages (Arabic, Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, Italian, Greek, Hindi, Turkish, Vietnamese). Why do I need to update my emergency plan and kit every 3 months? To make sure food and medical supplies are within their use-by date, and your medical information and important contacts are current. Preparing a kit and keeping it up to date will save time. If a natural disaster occurs and you need to leave at short notice, the kit is ready to take with you. Why do I also need to pack protective clothes like heavy gloves and socks? People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing complications from skin wounds and sores. Protective clothing helps prevent skin injuries during a natural disaster like a flood or bushfire. How should I store my insulin in an emergency situation? Try and keep insulin as cool as possible. A cooler bag with four re-freezable cool packs or a cooling wallet can be used to keep insulin cool. If you use ice packs, wrap them in a towel so your insulin does not freeze. Do not use insulin that has been frozen. What if I cannot keep my insulin cool? Once opened, you can keep your insulin at room temperature (15–25 degrees) for up to 28 days. Do not leave your insulin in direct sunlight. If you must use insulin that was stored above room temperature, discard it as soon as properly stored insulin is available. In an emergency situation you may be able to access insulin or other medication through a pharmacy, who can either provide you with an emergency supply or contact your doctor to arrange one.
