Hollister Secure Start Services eNewsletter
Q3 2018
HELPFUL TIPS
Be Prepared
Make Sure to Plan Ahead for Natural Disasters
Emergency preparedness is important for everyone, but when wildfires, hurricanes or tornadoes hit, it's especially important for people with ostomies to have a plan. Here are some helpful tips:
Pack an Emergency Kit
Have a kit packed at all times with your ostomy supplies, in an easily accessed place that you can grab as you run out the door in the event of an evacuation. Here's a suggested list of supplies to have on hand:
- Enough pouches for three weeks
- Skin barriers
- Medical scissors
- Clean water
- Cleanser without lotions, oils or added fragrance
- Ostomy disposal bags
- Adhesive remover wipes
- Skin prep wipes
- Exam gloves
- A plastic secure-close container to keep everything dry
It's also important to have your medical information in the kit:
- Your doctor's full name and phone number, including the hospital they are associated with
- Reference numbers for all supplies to make reordering easier
- Ostomy care instructions for family members in case you are unable to care for your ostomy yourself
For emergency preparedness, use UOAA's list of resources for emergency ostomy supplies at ostomy.org/emergency-supplies/.
