Franklin VNA & Hospice’s Health Corner: Wellness tidbits to keep us all a little healthier

Update emergency kits for a safer season

FRANKLIN — Emergency kits are a bit like a wardrobe. They should change with the season, and although everything may not be replaced, they should get a good look-over as the seasons change to see if something needs to be replaced, swapped out, or upgraded. As autumn arrives, it’s a good time to check the kit, or build one.

The first part of an emergency kit should be a plan, and given the changes the community has made in social distancing, mask wearing, and behaviors to stay safe, it’s a good bet that an evacuation plan may need updating. Everyone wants to stay at home, and an emergency kit can help with that, but having a solid written plan with phone numbers, addresses, and other contact information will ensure that if the household needs to leave, they have a safe place to go. Family or friends in the same social cohort are a good choice. Think about places that have an independent means of heat, are on a different electrical grid, or have a generator, especially if electricity is needed to power an oxygen concentrator, nebulizer, or other medical device.

If the plan does include a shelter, keep in mind that everyone will have to wear a mask and have access to hand sanitizer. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, local shelter locations might have changed, so it’s a good idea to check.

Now, build the kit. Mini “go-kits” should be available to grab quickly when evacuating, an in-home kit for sheltering in place, and a car kit for traveling. When building kits, store items in airtight plastic bags and put them in something easy to carry, like a duffel bag or backpack.

For each member of the family, the mini “go-kit” should be packed with a small supply of prescription medications, including inhalers, syringes, and glucose test strips, and an epi pen for severe allergies. Include a set of hearing aid batteries, a spare set of glasses, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, a few pairs of non-latex gloves and a spare face mask. For anyone with diabetes or other blood sugar problems, tuck in a few non-perishable snacks. This is also a good idea if someone has dietary restrictions or severe food allergies or sensitivities that make it difficult to find food. Keep an extra cell phone charger in this kit as well. Make sure to keep a photocopy of important documents here, like insurance policies or identification cards, or electronic copies saved securely somewhere if the home computer is not accessible.

Mini “go-kits” can be kept with the in-home kit, which should have a larger supply of some of the above, like the hand sanitizer, non-perishable food and water to last three days, which is a gallon of water per person, per day. Also include a way to hear emergency alerts from the National Weather Service or other emergency alerts such as a cell phone or emergency radio. Other items include a whistle, extra masks, heavy duty plastic sheets and duct tape, a manual can opener, and a first aid kit. Make sure there are extra batteries, garbage bags, soap, feminine hygiene products, and moist towelettes. A fire extinguisher completes the kit, and should be on each level of the home.

Make sure the car has its own kit stocked with a shovel, windshield scraper, flashlight with extra batteries, a small first aid kit, spare tire or emergency tire repair, jumper cables, sand or cat litter for tire traction, emergency reflectors, waterproof matches and a can to melt snow for water, extra hats, mittens and a blanket.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has resources including printable shopping lists.

For more information, call 603-934-3454 or visit FranklinVNA.org.