If you are living with diabetes, it is important to be prepared for natural disasters like bushfires, floods, storms or cyclones. Living through a natural disaster can make it hard to look after your diabetes; and put your health at risk. Having a plan and being ready for natural disasters reduces the risk of diabetes-related emergencies and life-threatening situations. Watch this short video about how to plan and prepare for a natural disaster. Have a plan. Be ready. The My diabetes plan for natural disasters can help you manage your diabetes before, during and after a natural disaster. Keep this plan and your emergency kit together in a safe place and keep them up to date. My diabetes plan for natural disasters and emergencies This plan lists important things to put in a diabetes emergency kit. You can also use this plan to record your personal details, important contact information and list of current medications. Available in other languages Download This resource is also available in other languages, including Arabic, Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Turkish and Vietnamese. Talk to your health professional if you have questions about your emergency plan, or find answers to commonly asked questions here. Information for emergency services, local councils and the not-for-profit sector This guide is for organisations and personnel who deal with natural disasters and emergencies during the planning stages such as local disaster management groups (local council) as well as those who deal with ‘on-the-ground’ situations after a natural disaster has occurred, for instance, those managing evacuation centres. The needs of people with diabetes and other chronic conditions in natural disasters and emergencies A guide for emergency services, local councils and the not-for-profit sector on diabetes and chronic condition management in natural disasters or emergencies. Download Information for health professionals There are four videos for health professionals to help support people living with diabetes to plan and prepare for a natural disaster. How do natural disasters impact diabetes How you can help people prepare for a natural disaster Using the ‘My Diabetes Plan’ for natural disasters Essential resources for diabetes and natural diabetes Diabetes and natural disasters Manage your diabetes in a natural disaster poster. Download Related topics Hot weather and diabetes Hot weather can put your health at risk. Staying cool can help you to stay well. Find out more Sick days It is important to have a sick day action plan and sick day kit to use if you are unwell or you have any signs of illness. Find out more Frequently asked questions about diabetes and disasters 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.
