With Hurricane Irene taking aim for the North Carolina coast, and forecasts of heavy rains and flooding far inland, now is the time to shift out of the “what if the storm hits here” mode and into the “I’d better get ready here it comes” mode. Now is the time to assemble a hurricane medical kit.

“The middle of a crisis isn’t the time to realize you forgot to fill a prescription or didn’t bring the items for basic first aid,” says Mark Gregory, Vice President of Pharmacy and Government Affairs for Kerr Drug. “There should be enough supplies in the emergency kit to last for several days because it’s impossible to predict how long an area may be closed down after a storm. That’s why it’s a good idea to ask your neighborhood pharmacist for help with prescription and over-the-counter medications.”

Pharmacists recommend your hurricane medical kit be assembled in an easy-to- carry, water- tight container and include:

1. Prescription medicines and special medical supplies such as glucose monitoring equipment.

2. Over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief.

3. Children’s medicines.

4. Several bottles of hand sanitizing gel.

5. Allergy medications.

6. Personal hygiene supplies.

7. First aid kit, including sterile gloves, sterile dressings and antibiotic wipes to disinfect, adhesive bandages in several sizes and antibiotic cream.

8. Several packs of travel tissues.

9. Copy of health insurance card and a copy of prescriptions, phone numbers of health care providers, and health information concerning chronic health problems.

”It’s not time to panic, but it is clearly time to collect medical items for an emergency kit because you can think clearly if you’re not in a hurry,” adds Gregory. “If you have these basic supplies you are better prepared to help your loved ones and yourself in an emergency.”

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