Take Action! Preparedness and Diabetes

During disasters and emergencies, people with diabetes face particular challenges to their health care. If you or someone you care for has diabetes, be sure to include some snacks in your emergency kit that you can use to help prevent hypoglycemia. Learn about more ways to stay healthy and continue to manage the condition when disaster strikes. Learn More >>

During natural disasters, emergencies, and hazards people with diabetes face particular challenges to their health care. If you are an evacuee or are in an emergency situation, it is of prime importance to identify yourself as a person with diabetes and any related conditions, so you can obtain appropriate care. It is also important to prevent dehydration by drinking enough fluids, which can be difficult when drinking water is in short supply. In addition, it is helpful to keep something containing sugar with you at all times, in case you develop hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). To prevent infections, which people with diabetes are more vulnerable to, pay careful attention to the health of your feet, and get medical treatment for any wounds.

The CDC has compiled many natural disaster and emergency resources in English, Spanish, and several other languages. Below are additional links which may be especially useful for people with diabetes. Some of the following documents are available in Portable Document Format.

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness and You
http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness
Ready—Prepare.Plan.Stay Informed.
http://www.ready.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency
http://www.fema.gov

Insulin, Drug, and Equipment Advice

Insulin Storage and Potency
Switching Between Products in an Emergency
http://www.fda.gov/cder/emergency/insulin.htm
Patients should try to keep their insulin as cool as possible, avoiding direct heat and direct sunlight as well as freezing if placed on ice. Although a physician should supervise when switching insulin products, here are recommendations for emergency situations.
Blood Glucose Meters and Hurricane Disasters
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/HomeHealthandConsumer/ConsumerProducts/BreastPumps/ucm055987.htm#bgm
Heat and humidity can damage blood glucose meters and test strips. If you use a blood glucose meter, check the meter and test strip package insert for information on use during unusual heat and humidity.
Diabetes Disaster Preparedness
http://www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/documents/diabetes_disaster_guidelines.pdf [PDF–211 KB]
This brochure includes helpful disaster management tips about insulin, pens, and syringes; food safety; foot care; managing hot weather, erratic mealtimes, physical exertion, and sick days.

Winter Weather and Extreme Heat

Be Prepared: Staying Safe and Healthy in Winter Weatherhttp://www.cdc.gov/Features/WinterWeather/
Winter storms and cold temperatures can be hazardous, but if you plan ahead, you can stay safe and healthy.
Prepare for Diabetes Care in Heat and Emergencieshttp://www.cdc.gov/features/DiabetesHeatTravel/

Health Advice

Kidney Community Emergency Preparedness and Responsehttp://www.kidney.org/help/index.cfm
Provides essential information to help dialysis patients, transplant recipients, and kidney health care professionals before and during emergencies.
Do You Have High Blood Pressure?
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/pdf/hypertension.pdf[PDF–947 KB]

Hand Hygiene in Emergency Situations
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/handhygiene.asp
After an emergency, it can be difficult to find running water. However, it is still important to wash your hands to avoid illness or infection, especially when testing your blood glucose or treating a wound.

Keep Water Safe after a Natural Disaster
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater.asp#water
Water may not be safe to drink, clean with, or bathe in after a hurricane or flood, which can be a particular problem for people with diabetes, who especially need to drink fluids and keep wounds clean.
Emergency Wound Care After a Natural Disaster
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/woundcare.asp
People often receive wound injuries during and after a natural disaster, and wound care is of particular importance for people with diabetes.
Foot Care for People with Diabetes
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/trenchfoot.asp
Foot wounds or infections can develop into serious problems for people with diabetes, so foot care is especially important.

General Hurricane Recovery Information

Hurricane Recovery Information from FirstGov.gov
https://www.usa.gov/disasters-and-emergencies
Social Security's Hurricane Information
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/hurricane/
Information for Evacuees and Other Affected Persons
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/evaccenters.asp
Health and violence prevention fact sheets for evacuees, addressing parenting stress, mental health, sexual violence, youth violence, high blood pressure, head lice, hand hygiene, carbon monoxide, and wound care.