Don’t forget about your health essentials during an emergency

Emergencies can happen without warning. Whether it’s a flood, fire or power outage, these events often leave little time to prepare, forcing us to make quick decisions for our safety. Over the past few years in Toronto, we’ve seen an increase in weather-related emergencies like heat waves, air quality issues and intense storms. These events remind us how important it is to be prepared. 

Often, we tend to focus on basic supplies like food and water when preparing for emergencies. However, having health essentials on hand for you and your household is just as important.  

With the right knowledge and preparation, we can stay healthy, even during challenging times.  

How can you prepare for an emergency? 

Emergencies happen quickly and during extreme situations, we may be left with only an hour or a day to leave our homes. The key to being prepared is understanding your risks, staying informed and ensuring you have all the necessary items to keep you healthy and safe. 

Know your risks and stay informed 

Every emergency is different and the risks specific to your area should shape your preparedness plan. To stay informed, check emergency alerts through TV, radio, internet or apps that provide real-time updates. Understanding the risks specific to your location can help you respond quickly.  

Visit the City of Toronto’s Emergency Preparedness page to see the types of emergencies that can occur in Toronto.  

Create a comprehensive emergency kit with health essentials 

Most people pack basic items like first-aid kits, food and water for their emergency kits. However, personal health essentials are just as important. Here are the items you should consider including: 

1. Medical documents and health information 

• Prescription medication: Keep a list of all your current medications, including dosages, refills and at least 3 days’ worth of medication. For long-term medications that treat conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or mental health concerns, it’s especially important to have extras on hand.  
• Medical records: Keep copies of your immunization records, health insurance cards and any relevant medical history such as allergies, asthma or heart disease. If you or a family member have chronic health conditions, include documentation about your ongoing treatment. 
• Emergency contacts: Keep a list of your healthcare providers, specialists, pharmacies and emergency contacts.  

2. Medical equipment 

If you or a loved one relies on medical equipment, ensure you will have access to this equipment in the event of an emergency.  

• Essential health devices: Pack all necessary devices that are vital to your health. This could include an EpiPen, an inhaler, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, a glucose monitor, hearing aids, medical alert jewelry, an oxygen tank or a ventilator. Some health devices require more than just the device itself. Always pack extra supplies for each device. For example, glucose monitors need backup batteries and test strips, while an oxygen tank should be packed with an extra tank, nasal cannula and oxygen tubing. 
• Injection supplies: For those who require insulin or other injection-based treatments, bring extra supplies like alcohol wipes, syringes and a glucagon kit. 
• Mobility aids: Manual or electric wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, prostheses, canes or other assistive and motorized devices are crucial for those who need them.  
• Extra batteries and chargers: Be sure to pack extra batteries or portable chargers to ensure your medical devices remain functional. 

3. Digital storage 

In addition to physical copies of medical documents, store digital versions on a flash drive or a secure digital storage device. This will ensure you have access to your documents in the event your physical copies become lost or damaged. 

Store paper documents in a waterproof folder or fireproof box to keep them safe from natural disasters. 

Where to access emergency preparedness resources 

For more information about emergency preparedness, visit: 

• The City of Toronto’s Emergency Preparedness website.  

• Government of Ontario – Emergency Preparedness week page. 

Remember, staying prepared means staying healthy and safe!