Disaster Preparedness for Children with Special Medical Needs
Key takeaways:
- Families should stock up on extra needed medical supplies ahead of time to be ready for an emergency situation.
- Making a list of every item a child requires during the day can help to ensure no small piece of equipment is forgotten, and speaking with a doctor to arrange for an emergency supply of medication or medical devices is important.
- Aside from major medical concerns, families should stock up on basic childcare supplies like diapers, formula, drinking water, and food that aligns with any allergies.
While it is important to be prepared in the event of a disaster, it can be difficult to know how best to prepare. Many families may keep a first aid kit, extra bottles of water, canned food, flashlights, and a radio just in case a wildfire, earthquake, or other natural disaster arrives. These supplies are a good starting point, but in the event that a disaster renders roads and stores inaccessible, leads to power outages, and limits access to running water, it is crucial for families to take other factors into consideration—especially families with children who have special medical needs.
“Preparation isn’t just about supplies; it’s about building a mindset,” says Bradley Goldberg, MD, Medical Director for Emergency Management and the Pediatric Disaster Resource and Training Center in Emergency and Transport Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). “Kids need to feel secure.”
Dr. Goldberg recommends that parents of kids with special medical needs take the following steps to be prepared for an emergency.
Ensure crucial supplies are on hand
As an example, many children who are treated at CHLA’s Division of Urology depend upon catheterizations to be able to empty their bladder. Without the regular use of a catheter throughout the day, some children are at risk of life-threatening damage to their bladder. For these families, it is crucial to keep an emergency supply of extra catheters at home and/or in the car that will last them for three to four days in the event of a natural disaster.
Similarly, it is important to plan ahead if your child relies upon any life-sustaining medications or equipment. Examples include:
- Gastrostomy tubes (G-tubes) for feeding
- Supplemental oxygen or a ventilator for breathing
- Medications to support vital body processes, such as insulin, asthma inhaler devices, or anti-rejection medications following a transplant
“Ensure that a 7-day supply of any needed medications or special health requirements is accessible,” Dr. Goldberg says.
Remember to stock spare secondary or accompanying equipment
In addition to the major medical items you know your child will need, it’s important to remember all accompanying equipment and supplies. One helpful tip is to make a list of every item your child requires or uses throughout a day, and ensure you have an adequate supply of all needed materials in case of an emergency. For instance, a child who is dependent on a G-tube for feeding may need:
- An extra supply of syringes
- A store of distilled water for flushes
- Additional batteries for a feeding pump
- Extra connection tubing or bags
If you’re not totally sure what supplies you may need, speak with your child’s care provider for specific advice. Sometimes, a doctor may have to prescribe extra medication or provide extra materials specifically to be used in case of an emergency.
Another important consideration is how your child’s medication or supplies must be stored. Do any of the medications need to be refrigerated? If so, will you need to purchase ice packs to keep this medication cool for a few days in an emergency situation?
Other key considerations for families with young children
Even if your child does not have a serious medical condition, there are other key items that young kids may need during a natural disaster, such as:
- Extra formula for an infant who is formula-fed
- Safe drinking water to mix with baby formula if needed (be sure to regularly check expiration dates on any foods and medications that are stored for emergency use, as these items will likely sit on the shelf for long periods)
- Canned goods and foods that are appropriate for children with food or gluten allergies, if necessary
- Extra diapers and clean clothes
One last important note is that, while we all hope that we won’t need these emergency supplies, it is always worthwhile to be prepared in the event of a disaster.
