Step 3: Create an Emergency Kit

Note: The posts in this series were adopted from a regional “hurricane preparedness” resource packet developed by the South Florida Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SFSCIMS) that can be downloaded in .pdf here.

Food and Water:

  • One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days
  • At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food, for example:
    • Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables
    • Dry cereal or granola
    • Peanut butter
    • Dried fruit
  • Canned juices
  • Ice or frozen bags of water
  • Can opener

Basic Supplies:

  • Flashlights
  • Extra batteries
  • Whistle
  • Backup generators
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Cash or traveler’s checks
  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
  • Type ABC fire extinguisher
  • Sunscreen
  • Mosquito repellent

Medical Supplies:

  • List of all medications, dosages, and any allergies
  • Contact information for doctors, relatives, or friends who should be notified if you are hurt
  • First aid kit
  • Surgical face mask (or the equivalent)
  • At least seven day supply of prescription medications
  • At least seven day supply of catheters
  • Gloves and arm/leg sleeves or coverings
  • Adult suppositories (Ducolax) and/or stool softeners
  • Adult briefs (Depends)
  • pH balanced wipes
  • Oxygen supply tanks
  • Extra wheelchair batteries (or manual wheelchair if possible)
  • Lightweight manual wheelchair (as a backup if possible)
  • Nebulizer/mechanical in/exsufflator
  • Portable, battery-operated fan
  • Bag-mask supplies (if dependent on a ventilator)

Important Documents:

  • A list of all medications, dosages, and any allergies
  • Contact information for doctors, relatives, or friends who should be notified if you are hurt
  • Waterproof storage of materials

If you are evacuating, be sure to also pack:

  • Sleeping arrangements (blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, bed sheets)
  • Cushions, splints, braces
  • Check with your county’s shelter program for any specific items you are expected to supply.

If you have a pet:

  • Collar with ID tag, rabies tag, and a leash
  • Medical records, proof of vaccinations, registration, and adoption documents
  • At least three-day supply of food (in an airtight, waterproof container)
  • At least three-day supply of water specifically for your pets
  • First aid kid (cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors, antibiotic ointment, flea and tick prevention, pet first aid reference book)
  • Sanitation needs (litter box and litter, newspapers, plastic trash bags)
  • Treats, toys, and bedding

Other tips:

  • Know the size and weight of your wheelchair in addition to whether it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported.
  • Show others how to operate your wheelchair sleeping bags, pillows, bed sheets, etc.

Medical Records/Keeping and Accessing:

  • Make sure you have important medical information with you in case they need to be referenced
  • You may want to keep these organized in a folder, or know how to locate them electronically (ie. Epic and Cerner Portal access)
  • Make sure your caregiver or significant other knows how to access your records if needed in an emergency.

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