Four Ways to Prepare Your Family for a Medical Emergency
Written by Cheri Stirling
What would you do if there were a shortage of medications? Do you have a plan to help keep your family healthy if there ever were a delay in the supply chain? One of the first things to disappear in an emergency is access to medical supplies. It’s important that we start to think ahead, especially if we have family members who have chronic health conditions.
Have a Supply of Medications
Many of us have health conditions that require some medical assistance. But as we look around the world, with unstable governments, wars raging, and natural disasters becoming more commonplace, it’s easy to see how something could affect how we get our everyday things, especially when most of our medications are produced overseas. One way to plan ahead is to have a supply of your medications as far ahead as you can. Some medications are very restricted so this may not always be possible. If you have a regular medication you or a family member takes, you may want to check out Jase Daily, where certified doctors can look at your prescriptions and can prescribe up to a year supply!
My husband struggles with some seasonal allergies, where he needs the decongestant that is behind the counter. We visited with a friend who is a pharmacist, and he was able to recommend some over-the-counter solutions that would give us the same dosage, but for a fraction of the cost, and we were able to build up a small supply so he didn’t have to run to the store every 14 days.
Whether you can build up your supply, or find some substitutions that could help in a crisis, this can bring some peace of mind should things go sideways all of a sudden.
Stock Your Medicine Cabinet with Essentials
Next, let’s take a look at those regular, everyday remedies we use. This time it’s inevitable to bring home at least a couple of germs. It’s good to have a stocked medicine cabinet, and cold and flu season is a good time to stock up, because many of these things are on sale!
Look for your favorite remedies for:
- Headaches
- Muscle aches and pains
- Cuts and Scrapes
- Sleeplessness
- Cold and flu remedies
- Rash and burn ointments
- Coughs
- Congestion
- Immune Boosts
Check Out Alternative Remedies
Another option is to look at alternative methods to help with your overall health! Many of the health complications we are seeing in our society today are preventable or treatable with lifestyle changes, challenging as that may be with today’s culture. The Lord promises, “And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures.” (D&C 89: 18-19)
With all of the preservatives, processed foods, and other chemicals that constantly surround us, many people are struggling with things like hormonal imbalances, which can lead to fertility struggles, mental health challenges, and other physical manifestations. Learning to limit our exposure to these can help our bodies restore balance. There are many people online that can teach how to read labels, and which ingredients to limit or avoid. Karalynne Call with Just Ingredients offers product swaps to make healthier decisions, for a relatively similar, (or sometimes even cheaper) cost!
Herbs, whole foods, and natural remedies have many amazing medical properties and health benefits. The Lord said, “I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man— Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.” (D&C 89:10-11) Herbal medicines can help treat ailments without the side effects that come with most western medicines. Our family has used things like essential oils, and health aids from places like Earthley.
Boost Your First Aid Kit
Let’s also check our first aid kits! How many do we have? Where are they located? Do we have a travel one in the car? Is there one available in the medicine cabinet? Are they in the 72 hour kits?
The American Red Cross recommends that every family have a first aid kit with at least:
- 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
- 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes), also found within our Family First Aid Kit
- 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
- 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
- 5 antiseptic wipe packets
- 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
- 1 emergency blanket
- 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
- 1 instant cold compress
- 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
- 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
- 1 3 in. gauze roll (roller) bandage
- 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
- 5 3 in. x 3 in. sterile gauze pads
- 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
- Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
- 2 triangular bandages
- Tweezers
- First Aid Instructions
Once you have the basics, you can also prepare to have additional materials. Perhaps more gloves, or medical grade surgical masks. There are places where you can buy emergency kits for births, or disaster kits that have additional materials for natural disasters.
As we ‘prepare every needful thing’ (D&C 88:119), the Lord promises an added measure of peace in the days ahead. Working on our health, and preparing a safe place for our families in times of trouble will be invaluable in the days ahead.
Action Steps:
- Assess your health needs
- Make a list of medications, remedies, or supplies
- Create a plan to start gathering the items you need
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