Prepared for Your Health

8 Small Steps to Prepare Your Emergency Kit for Your Health

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFl-OnbJfR0

September is Preparedness Month and, in Hawaii, we still have a couple of months left of the hurricane season. While you’re preparing (or maintaining) your emergency preparedness kit this month, keep in mind how you can support your healthier choices in the midst of a disaster.

1. Do you have enough medicine?  Though most insurances still will not give you more than a 30-day supply, check to see if you can get a larger supply via their mail-order option.
   

2. Check on over-the-counter medications in your kits. Change out the old and add any new items you need. Check out Expired Medication — Keep or Toss if you have questions about tossing expired medications.
   

3. Get your immunizations.  When was your last tetanus shot? Many health insurance plans cover a tetanus shot or booster every 10 years.
   

4. Limit the salt in your emergency foods. You may need to watch your salt intake or just want to limit foods that make you thirsty. Sorry, SPAM® may be a handy choice but it’s high in salt and fat.
   

5. Find the balance between comfort and healthy in your emergency food stash. Stock your emergency kit with some treats and remember to read the nutrition label.
   

6. Let your emergency stash do double duty. As part of your car’s emergency kit, keep healthier foods stashed in the car. It will be there for emergencies and a healthier option before you go shopping or if you’re running late.
   

7. Stock up on fruits and vegetables. Canned fruits (in fruit juice not syrup, of course) and veggies are a great way of ensuring that even in a disaster you can get your servings in. Remember a can opener, too.
   

8. Add a pair of walking shoes. Even if they’re old, put ’em in, just in case. They will come in handy and you can keep moving.

Will you take one step to making your emergency kit healthier this week?

Check It Out 

• Preparedness checklists for you and your family as wells as your pets
  

• Build a Kit: Food — Ready.gov

  
  

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