Food Allergies + Natural Disasters… A Different Kind of Storm
As torrential floods from Hurricane Florence ripped through the Carolinas earlier this month, Madison, Wisconsin—home of the Allergy Amulet headquarters—was still reeling from record rainfall levels and flash floods.
These events got us thinking: How should the food allergy community prepare for a natural disaster?
First, there are great emergency kit checklists available through the American Red Cross and FEMA websites, which advise on supplies to have at the ready in case of an emergency. If you or your loved one has a food allergy, however, you have a few extra things to consider.
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At a minimum you should plan to have several days’ worth of allergy-friendly foods on hand that don’t require refrigeration, heating, and that don’t spoil easily. This might include canned vegetables, granola, or dried fruits and meats. Don’t forget several days’ worth of water, too!
The American Red Cross recommends having a seven-day supply of any necessary medications. For food allergy families this could include your antihistamines as well as epinephrine, or any other doctor-recommended medications (e.g., inhaler). Depending on where you live, and what type of emergencies are most common, you may want to have these items already packed and stored in a convenient location. For example, if you live in an area prone to tornadoes, it’s likely that you have a basement, so you may want to store your emergency supplies down there.
What if I need to evacuate?
Evacuating in the wake of a natural disaster can present unique challenges for those with food allergies. Shelters may not serve allergy-friendly meals, and even if they do, families may need to manage for cross-contact. Having allergy-friendly foods on hand and disinfectant wipes for hands and surfaces can help mitigate exposure risk. Make sure to also pack emergency action plans for children if you have them, insurance cards, and an emergency contact list with your medical providers!
Check expiration dates!
Don’t forget to review and update your emergency preparedness kit at least once a year, and make sure to check the expiration dates on your epinephrine and antihistamines. Spokin recently offered a feature on its app that helps you to manage epinephrine expiration dates.
We all hope that you never need your emergency supplies, but it’s a good idea to be prepared!
- Susannah and the Allergy Amulet Team