OK, you stocked up on batteries, water and non perishable food items.  What else do you need to prepare for a hurricane, natural disaster or other emergency?  The answer, a good first aid is essential.  I do not suggest buying first aid kits.  Instead you should build a customized first aid kit.  The hurricane first aid kit at home should to be larger than the first aid kit you keep in the trunk of your car or on your boat.  If you have children think pediatric VS if you have older family members think geriatric.  Peoples medical needs can vary with age.  Listed below are some of the items you should have in your hurricane first aid kit.

 

HURRICANE FIRST AID KIT
Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center 800-222-1222)
Adhesive tape - 1 & 2 inch widths (Hypoallergenic if allergic) and Non-Adhesive Tape - 3M™ Coban™ Self-Adherent Wrap or similar
Antiseptic spray

Antibiotic ointment packets x 10

Alcohol-based hand Sanitizer or germicidal wipes
Antacid tablet or liquid
Aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and other pain relievers.

Automated External Defibrillator / AED - With a good battery and unexpired adult and pediatric electrode pads. 
      We sell both new and pre-owned AEDs.  Please contact us for a free price quote on an AED.

Bleeding Control - Compression Bandage – Israeli Bandage / Emergency Bandage x 4

Bleeding Control – Sterile gauze pads – various sizes and abdominal pads.

Bleeding Control – Tourniquet x 4 - I prefer the CAT (Combat Application Tourniquets) as they are very easy and fast to apply

Blood glucose meter / Glucometers – used to measure glucose level in blood

Blood pressure monitor - Get the automatic over the arm type with spare batteries.
Band aids - assorted sizes.  For people on blood thinners they make band aids with clotting control.  My Dad uses them and they work great.

Benadryl®- for allergic reactions
Bleach - great for cleanup

Bug Spray - Insects can be a problem after a hurricane. 

Burn Gel – Burn ointment to prevent infection (Avoid butter and other home remedies)
Citronella candles for after the hurricane for mosquito control.

Contact lens supplies

Cotton tip swaps – Q-tips.
Cough, Cold & Allergy Medicines (TheraFlu, Vicks Day Care, etc.)

CPR Mask / Breathing barrier

Dental care – Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, dental floss, mouth wash, etc.
Disposable safety razors

Elastic Bandage – Ace Bandage – compression bandage.  For sprains and stains.

Eye wash solution to flush the eyes
Eye Protection – Goggles with splash guards (to protect your eyes from blood)

Eye Glasses and contact lens solution and eye glass repair kit / Spare eyeglasses would be advisable

Face masks - N95 should be the goal
First Aid Manual - Purchase a good one with pictures and large print.

Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Flash Lights - At least 1 per person in the house.  Headlamp lights are useful when treating injuries at night - frees up your hands.
Gauze pads & Gauze rolls - various sizes for covering larger wounds.
Headache medicine
Heart Burn, Indigestion, Upset Stomach Medicine (Pepto-Bismol, Alka-Seltzer, Tums, Pepcid AC, Zantac)
Ice Packs & Hot Packs – The chemically activated type.

Imodium A-D (anti-diarrhea medicine)
Insect repellents that have any of these DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), and 2-undecanone
Insect bite lotion - After Bite (for relief of itching)

Laxative
Lip balm

Lysol® disinfectant spray or similar

Lysol® disinfectant wipes or similar
Magnifying glass (to see splinters)
Medical exam gloves - latex free if allergic to latex
Nail clippers, nail file/emery board
Needle for removing splinters.
Pen and Paper to write down important medical information.

Petroleum jelly or other lubricant

Pulse Oximeter or Pulse Ox  an electronic device that measures the saturation of oxygen carried in your red blood cells
Safety Pins
Soap - bar new in wrapper (I prefer the small hotel soap bars) plus lots of liquid soap for handwashing.
Splint – The “Sam Splints” work great and are easy to use and inexpensive.

Sugar (little packets from a fast food restaurant work great)
Sunscreen, sun block and after burn
Swiss Army knife - deluxe model
Thermometer - Oral - Digital with spare batteries.

Trauma shears / Bandage scissors with round safety tip
Triangular bandages x 3 (to be used as a sling).
Tweezers

Your First Aid kit should be clearly marked and easily accessible to help people find it during a hurricane.  Having a few items in the bathroom and others under the kitchen sink is not a good plan.  Have everything in one easy to reach location.  Inside the house is good, the heat of the garage is bad.

 

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS AND FIRST AID SUPPLIES FOR YOUR CAR

• Make sure you have a full tank of gas before a storm arrives.
• If you plan to evacuate using an electric vehicle think about the range and charge time along the way.  Plan for delays.
• In a crate or plastic tote you should have emergency supplies such as a first aid kit, medical exam gloves, leather work gloves, eye protection, duct tape,  jumper cables, a blanket, clean towels, a flashlight, bottled water, a couple of energy bars, screwdrivers, hammer, pliers, vice grips, crescent wrench, fix-a-flat and a bottle opener.

Prescription medicines - Refill all prescription medicines - at least a two week supply.  This is especially true for medications such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers.  You should also keep a current copy of the prescription on hand.

Pet medication - Do the same for pets (including tranquilizers).
Emergency Oxygen - If you require supplemental oxygen will it operate without electric?  How much oxygen do you use per day?  If the power fails, what is your plan?

Telephones - Cellular phone and corded home telephone (cordless phones require electric- you may not have power) to call 911 for assistance (have a full charge and a car charger)

CB Radio and Walkie Talkie - If cellular service is not working due to the storm, walkie talkie radios work for short range communication with friends and family close by.  CB Radios can work for longer distance communication.

Individuals with special needs – Consider evacuating family members with special needs before the storm.