Emergency Medicine List For Power Outages (Be Prepared!)

In the event of a power outage, especially one that lasts for an extended period of time, having an emergency medicine checklist can prove invaluable. Power outages can disrupt a community’s normal function, making it challenging to access essential services, including medical care and pharmacies when you need them. While power outages can’t always be predicted, you can prepare by ensuring you have the necessary medications on hand.

Essential Medications

From daily medications for chronic conditions to over-the-counter remedies for common ailments, a well-stocked medicine cabinet is a must. During power outages, especially prolonged ones, access to pharmacies and the ability of doctors to send in prescriptions, might be limited. Having an adequate supply of essential medications ensures you’re not caught off guard when an outage strikes.

Here are the essential medications you should keep on hand:

Over-The-Counter (OTC) Pain Relievers

The topline medicine in your medicine kit, OTC pain relievers are essential for managing minor pains and aches that can arise unexpectedly, such as headaches, muscle pains, or discomfort from minor injuries.

During a blackout, when immediate access to medical facilities might be restricted and pharmacies closed, having these at hand ensures that you can provide immediate relief from pain, ensuring comfort and reducing stress.

Allergy Medications

Allergic reactions can be triggered by various factors, from food to insect bites. Having allergy medication on hand ensures that you can quickly address symptoms like itching, swelling, or hives.

In prolonged blackouts, where immediate access to a pharmacy might be compromised, and electronics like air purifiers which usually work to keep pollutants out may fail to work, allergy meds can be crucial in preventing severe allergic reactions.

Pediatric Medications

Young children are more susceptible to illnesses and might not tolerate pain or discomfort as well as adults do. Ensuring you have pediatric formulations of essential medications guarantees that you can provide immediate and appropriate care for the youngest members of your household during emergencies.

Prescription Medications

For individuals with chronic illnesses or conditions requiring regular medication, it’s vital to have an adequate supply during a power outage. Blackouts can disrupt regular routines and access to pharmacies, so keeping a backup ensures continuous and necessary medical care.

Inhalers or Insulin

For those with asthma, COPD, or diabetes, inhalers and insulin are not just essential; they’re lifesaving. A blackout can be stressful, potentially triggering asthma attacks, while refrigeration failures could compromise insulin stocks. Having these on hand ensures that those with these conditions remain stable and safe.

For insulin, don’t forget to include a medication cooling pouch in your essential medical kit.

Antibacterial Ointment

Injuries can happen anytime, but more so during power outages where visibility is reduced and people might be navigating unfamiliar terrains. Antibacterial ointments ensure that minor cuts or wounds can be treated immediately, preventing infections and promoting faster healing.

Hydrocortisone Cream

Itchy rashes, insect bites, or mild skin irritations can become very uncomfortable, especially when the electricity is out and extreme heat or cold may come into play. Hydrocortisone cream provides rapid relief from itching and reduces inflammation, ensuring comfort during inconvenient times like blackouts.

Burn Cream or Aloe Vera Gel

During a blackout, the chance of accidents related to candles, lanterns, or makeshift cooking methods goes up, increasing the risk of minor burns. Having burn creams or aloe vera on hand allows for immediate treatment, reducing pain and preventing complications or infections.

Special Needs and Considerations

Every household is different. If yours has babies, elderly members, or pets, this changes what you might consider “medicine” in your essential medicine kit. Consider these essentials when stocking your blackout meds:

Teething tools: You’ve already got pediatric medication, but if you’ve got teething babies, something soothing to chew on becomes an essential piece of equipment.

Elder care items: Mobility aids, adult diapers, and nutritional drinks or supplements may be essential for the elders in your family to comfortably and safely weather a blackout.

Pet medications: Pets need their prescriptions too, but, during a blackout, they may also experience anxiety. If you have a skittish pet, keeping a calming medication like diazepam in your stores can ensure your pet’s comfort until the lights come back on.

Mental Health Considerations

Stress, anxiety, uncertainty – power outages can be a cocktail of negative emotions, especially when they drag on. Physical health is vital, but so is mental well-being. Equipping yourself with tools and strategies to maintain calm and provide psychological first aid when the grid lets you down can be essential.

So, here are a few more non-medicines to chuck into your medicine kit:

• Calming teas, like chamomile or peppermint
• Essential oils
• Chocolate or other candy

Medication Information

While most of us are familiar with the dosages and timings of over-the-counter pain relievers and allergy medications we frequently use, it’s essential to keep information on hand for those medicines we don’t administer as often. This is especially crucial during emergencies like power outages when quick access to correct information can be vital.

Yes, each medicine probably has some info on the bottle, but it doesn’t hurt to keep a log detailing the correct dosages, timings, potential side effects, and any specific instructions or contraindications for each medicine you stock. This ensures that even in stressful situations, or if someone else needs to assist you, the correct and safe administration of medication can be guaranteed. It’s a small step that can make a significant difference in ensuring the well-being of everyone in your household should the need to break into your medical stores arises.