Stay safe during and after summer or other unforeseen urgent situations by making an emergency go bag with essential diabetes supplies

Have a go-bag ready for emergencies.

1. Extra medications
2. Cool packs
3. Glucose meter with extra batteries
4. Test strips, Lancets.
5. If your doctor has told you to check for ketones, you should carry ketone test strips, too.

      6. If you have type 1 diabetes and use an insulin pump, you should also pack:

      a) Extra reservoirs and infusion sets

      b) Extra batteries

      c) Vials of insulin and syringes (in case the pump stops working)

      7. Your supply kit should have important information about your condition and treatment. Make an info sheet that includes:

       a) Your diagnosis (type 1 or type 2 diabetes, along with any other conditions you have)

       b) A list of all the medications you take, along with details about the dose and when to take them

       c) Contact numbers for your primary care doctor, endocrinologist / diabetologist , and pharmacy

      d) Contact info for family and close friends

      8. If it gets too low, you'll need to act quickly. Keep some snacks with you that can get you out of the danger zone, like:

• Juice boxes or regular soda
• Small boxes of raisins
• Glucose tablets

9. If travelling then -

• Food and Water
• It's important to stay hydrated, especially if your blood sugar levels tend to get too high. Put aside enough bottled water to last you at least 3 days.
• You should also pack at least 2 days' worth of food that won't spoil. Good picks include peanut butter, cheese crackers, meal replacement shakes, and granola bars. Canned food is also smart. Just remember the non-electric can opener.
• First-Aid Essentials
• You can buy a premade kit or create your own. Some key items to include: adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, pain and fever medicine, gloves, scissors, tweezers, gauze, cloth tape, a thermometer, a blanket, and a glucagon pen.

        Power On

        You never know when the lights might go out. That's why it's always helpful to have:

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Radio (battery- or solar-powered, or hand crank)
• Extra charger for your cellphone