Medical & Safety

There is no universal medical kit.

Before buying supplies, consider:

• Household size
• Ages of family members
• Prescription medications
• Allergies
• Chronic medical conditions
• Mobility or accessibility needs
• Infants or older adults
• Pets or service animals
• Evacuation destination
• First-aid training
• Likely cleanup activities

Ready.gov recommends adapting emergency supplies to individual household needs, including prescriptions, glasses, medical supplies, and alternative power for necessary equipment.

Medical Planning

The preparedness guide explains:

• Prescription continuity
• Medical documentation
• Powered medical equipment
• Evacuation thresholds
• Special-needs planning
• Health risks during outages and cleanup
• When to seek professional care

Medical Gear

This page explains:

• Which supply categories to consider
• How to organize medical kits
• How to protect medications
• What personal protective equipment may be useful
• How to maintain and rotate supplies
• Where different kits belong

First-Aid Supplies

Prepare for common cuts, scrapes, burns, blisters, and minor injuries.

A basic first-aid module may include:

• Adhesive bandages
• Sterile gauze
• Medical tape
• Antiseptic supplies
• Antibiotic ointment
• Burn dressings
• Elastic wraps
• Blister care
• Cold packs
• Tweezers
• Trauma shears
• Disposable gloves

Choose supplies you understand and know how to use.

Keep necessary medications protected and accessible.

Consider:

• Prescription medications
• Copies of prescriptions
• Current medication list
• Over-the-counter pain relief
• Antihistamines
• Digestive medications
• Motion-sickness medication
• Oral rehydration products
• Household-specific pediatric products

Keep medications in their labeled containers whenever practical and follow storage instructions.

Account for the equipment your household already depends on.

Examples may include:

• Glucose meter and supplies
• Blood-pressure monitor
• Thermometer
• Pulse oximeter
• Nebulizer
• CPAP equipment
• Hearing-aid supplies
• Mobility aids
• Eyeglasses
• Refrigerated-medication container

Powered equipment requires a separate backup-power and evacuation plan.

Reduce exposure to debris, dust, contaminated water, and cleanup hazards.

Depending on the task, useful equipment may include:

• Heavy work gloves
• Disposable nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses or goggles
• Waterproof boots
• Long sleeves and pants
• High-visibility vest
• Hearing protection
• Hard hat
• N95 respirator or other task-appropriate respiratory protection

OSHA emphasizes matching PPE to the specific hazard and identifies hand, eye, foot, head, hearing, and respiratory protection among the needs encountered during hurricane cleanup.

Maintain basic hygiene when water and services are disrupted.

Consider:

• Soap
• Hand sanitizer
• Disinfecting products
• Disposable wipes
• Clean towels
• Trash bags
• Sealable waste bags
• Toilet supplies
• Menstrual products
• Clean water for washing wounds

Floodwater can contain sewage, chemicals, debris, animals, and other contaminants. CDC recommends avoiding exposure when possible and washing thoroughly after contact.

Prepare for outdoor work and homes without air conditioning.

Useful supplies may include:

• Drinking water
• Electrolyte products
• Cooling towels
• Wide-brimmed hat
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Lightweight protective clothing
• Portable fans
• Rain protection

Post-storm work should be paced with water, shade, and regular rest, especially in hot and humid conditions.

Make it easier to request help and share medical information.

Consider:

• Whistle
• Flashlight with signaling mode
• Charged mobile phone
• Power bank
• Emergency contact card
• Medical identification
• Written allergies and conditions
• Physician and pharmacy details
• Location information
• Two-way radio where appropriate

Do not rely on a locked phone as the only place important medical information is stored.

Prepare for the hazards that appear after landfall.

Recovery supplies may include:

• Heavy gloves
• Eye protection
• Waterproof boots
• Respiratory protection
• Hearing protection
• Head protection
• First-aid supplies
• Clean drinking water
• Soap and disinfectant
• Insect protection

Cleanup can involve electrical hazards, unstable structures, mold, floodwater, sharp debris, carbon monoxide, heat, and power equipment.

One oversized first-aid bag is not always the most practical system.

Everyday First-Aid Module

For common household injuries:

• Bandages
• Gauze
• Antiseptic
• Tape
• Ointment
• Basic tools
• Common medications

Personal Medication Module

Assigned to one household member:

• Prescription medications
• Medication list
• Allergies
• Device supplies
• Physician information

Evacuation Medical Module

Designed to travel:

• Essential medications
• Compact first-aid supplies
• Documents
• Medical devices
• Backup power
• Cooling solution when required

Cleanup Safety Module

Stored with recovery equipment:

• Work gloves
• Eye protection
• Respirator
• Hearing protection
• Wound-cleaning supplies
• Insect repellent
• Heat-protection supplies

Modules make supplies easier to locate and prevent frequently used items from becoming mixed with specialized equipment.

A larger medical kit is not automatically a better one.

Basic Supplies

Appropriate for people managing routine minor injuries within basic first-aid training.

Advanced Supplies

Some trauma or airway products require training, judgment, and regular practice.

Do not purchase specialized equipment simply because it appears on a tactical or professional medical list.

Ask:

• Have I been trained to use it?
• Can I identify when it is appropriate?
• Could improper use cause harm?
• Can I maintain the required skill?
• Is it permitted within my role and local rules?

Training should grow alongside the kit.

Medication continuity may be more important than adding extra first-aid products.

Keep:

• Current medication list
• Dosages and schedules
• Allergies
• Prescriber information
• Pharmacy contact information
• Copies of prescriptions where available
• Required administration supplies
• Storage instructions
• Backup-power or cooling plan

Ready.gov emergency-kit guidance includes prescription medicines and household-specific medical supplies among the essentials people should prepare.

Some medications require controlled storage.

Your plan should address:

• Safe temperature range
• Appropriate insulated container
• Cold packs or approved cooling method
• Temperature monitoring
• Backup power
• Travel time
• Replacement options
• Pharmacy or medical-provider instructions

Do not place medication directly against ice unless its instructions specifically permit it.

A cooler is only useful when the required temperature can be maintained and monitored.

For equipment such as CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, nebulizers, feeding devices, or mobility equipment, document:

• Operating wattage
• Battery runtime
• Charging time
• Compatible backup power
• Manufacturer instructions
• Vehicle-charging options
• Replacement batteries
• Alternate care locations
• Evacuation threshold

A household power system may support some medical equipment, but critical medical dependence may require early evacuation to a location with dependable electricity and care.

Carbon monoxide is a major post-storm danger whenever fuel-burning equipment is used.

Your safety setup should include:

• Battery-powered or battery-backup carbon monoxide detectors
• Fresh detector batteries
• Outdoor generator placement
• A plan that keeps exhaust away from openings
• Recognition of possible poisoning symptoms
• Immediate evacuation if an alarm sounds

CDC advises operating generators and other fuel-burning equipment outdoors, at least 20 feet from the home, and away from doors, windows, and vents.

Floodwater should be treated as contaminated.

Avoid contact whenever possible.

When exposure occurs:

• Wash with soap and clean water.
• Clean cuts promptly.
• Keep wounds covered.
• Replace wet or dirty dressings.
• Watch for increasing redness, swelling, drainage, fever, or worsening pain.
• Seek medical guidance for serious, contaminated, or infected wounds.

Do not allow children or pets to play in floodwater. CDC notes that it may contain germs, chemicals, waste, debris, animals, and electrical hazards.

Wet buildings may begin developing mold quickly.

For limited cleanup:

• Ventilate when safe.
• Wear gloves.
• Protect the eyes.
• Use appropriate respiratory protection.
• Remove materials that cannot be cleaned and dried.
• Keep vulnerable people away from the work area.

CDC recommends cleaning and drying wet areas as quickly as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours, and using gloves, masks, and goggles during mold cleanup.

Extensive contamination, major water intrusion, sewage, structural damage, or contaminated HVAC systems may require professional help.

Medical supplies do not make hazardous work safe.

Storm-damaged trees may be under tension, buildings may be unstable, and wet ladders or roofs create serious fall hazards.

Leave work to qualified professionals when it involves:

• Power lines
• Large or suspended trees
• Unstable structures
• Roof work
• Major demolition
• Hazardous materials
• Equipment you are not trained to operate

OSHA stresses hazard assessment, appropriate PPE, safe equipment operation, and treating downed electrical lines as energized.

Immediate Access

Keep these easy to reach:

• Prescription medications
• Personal medical devices
• Basic first aid
• Medical information
• Disposable gloves
• Flashlight
• Emergency contacts

Household Storage

Store these in a labeled, accessible location:

• Refill first-aid supplies
• OTC medications
• Sanitation products
• Spare protective gear
• Backup medical equipment
• Additional batteries

Recovery Storage

Keep cleanup PPE and tools separate from clean medical supplies.

Dirty gloves, boots, respirators, and debris equipment should not be packed into the same container as wound-care items or medications.

Florida heat and humidity can damage medical supplies.

Avoid long-term storage in a hot vehicle when product instructions require controlled conditions.

Inspect for:

• Expired medications
• Damaged packaging
• Moisture
• Corrosion
• Dried adhesives
• Leaking liquids
• Swollen batteries
• Contaminated supplies
• Worn protective equipment
• Incorrect clothing or glove sizes

Follow product labeling and medication-storage instructions.

Review medical and safety supplies at least twice a year and whenever a storm threatens.

Check:

• Medication quantities
• Expiration dates
• Contact information
• Medical conditions
• Device batteries
• First-aid seals
• Respirator condition
• Glove sizes
• Eyeglass prescriptions
• Child-specific supplies
• Pet medications
• Training status

Replace items immediately after they are used.

Useful training may include:

• Basic first aid
• CPR and AED
• Stop-the-bleed education
• Medication administration
• Equipment-specific instruction
• Generator safety
• Cleanup PPE use
• Heat-illness recognition

A modest kit supported by good training is more useful than advanced equipment no one understands.

Call emergency services or seek urgent professional help for situations such as:

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Severe bleeding
• Loss of consciousness
• Signs of stroke
• Serious burns
• Major head injury
• Suspected poisoning
• Severe allergic reaction
• Significant electrical injury
• Serious infection
• Worsening medical symptoms
• Any situation beyond your training or available resources

When local emergency response is delayed, continue following dispatcher instructions and official emergency guidance.

Buying a Kit Without Opening It

Inspect every item and learn where it is stored.

Packing Supplies No One Can Use

Match equipment to training.

Forgetting Daily Medications

Personal medical needs come before specialized gear.

Keeping Everything in One Container

Separate personal, household, evacuation, and cleanup modules.

Storing Medical Supplies in Vehicle Heat

Follow storage instructions and rotate sensitive items.

Ignoring Protective Equipment

Preventing an injury is usually easier than treating one.

Using the Wrong Respirator for the Hazard

Respiratory protection must match the exposure and fit the wearer.

Reusing Contaminated Disposable Equipment

Dispose of single-use supplies properly.

Treating Floodwater as Clean Rainwater

Assume it is contaminated.

Attempting Dangerous Cleanup Without Training

Recognize when professional assistance is the safer choice.

Personal Medical Needs

✔ Prescription medications
✔ Medication and allergy list
✔ Copies of prescriptions
✔ Eyeglasses or contacts
✔ Medical identification
✔ Required devices and supplies
✔ Backup-power plan
✔ Refrigeration plan when needed

First-Aid Supplies

✔ Adhesive bandages
✔ Sterile gauze
✔ Medical tape
✔ Antiseptic supplies
✔ Disposable gloves
✔ Elastic wrap
✔ Burn and blister care
✔ Trauma shears
✔ Thermometer
✔ Basic OTC medications

Protective Equipment

✔ Heavy work gloves
✔ Disposable nitrile gloves
✔ Safety glasses or goggles
✔ Waterproof boots
✔ Respiratory protection
✔ Hearing protection
✔ Long sleeves and pants
✔ High-visibility vest
✔ Head protection where appropriate

Sanitation and Recovery

✔ Soap
✔ Hand sanitizer
✔ Disinfecting supplies
✔ Clean water
✔ Trash and waste bags
✔ Insect repellent
✔ Sunscreen
✔ Heat-protection supplies
✔ Carbon monoxide detectors

We believe medical and safety equipment should be:

Household-Specific

It reflects actual medications, conditions, ages, and abilities.

Organized

Critical supplies can be found quickly.

Training-Appropriate

Equipment matches the user’s knowledge and skills.

Preventive

Protective gear reduces the chance of injury and exposure.

Portable

Essential medical needs can travel during evacuation.

Maintained

Medications, batteries, packaging, and protective equipment are inspected regularly.

Connected to a Plan

The household knows when to treat, when to evacuate, and when to seek professional care.

Preparedness is not about pretending to be a medical professional.

It is about maintaining essential care, preventing avoidable injuries, and knowing your limits.

Your Product Recommendations section can compare specific options such as:

• Household first-aid kits
• Compact evacuation kits
• Medication organizers
• Insulated medical coolers
• Thermometers
• Blood-pressure monitors
• Pulse oximeters
• Nitrile gloves
• Work gloves
• Safety glasses
• Respirators
• Waterproof boots
• Hearing protection
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Sanitation kits

Recommendations can be organized by:

• Home
• Vehicle
• Bug out bag
• Cleanup
• Family
• Older adults
• Medical needs
• Budget
• Training level

Continue building your household safety system:

• Medical & Safety Preparedness Guide – Plan medications, care, and emergency needs.
• Special Needs & Medical – Prepare for evacuation with accessibility or medical requirements.
• Cleanup & Safety – Reduce hazards after landfall.
• Power & Lighting – Provide backup power for medical equipment.
• Bug Out Kits – Organize portable medication and first-aid modules.
• Vehicle Gear – Carry roadside medical and protective equipment.
• Family & Pets – Adapt supplies for each household member.

A dependable medical and safety system starts with your household’s daily needs.

Protect prescription continuity.

Organize basic first aid.

Add protective equipment for the hazards you may realistically encounter.

Learn how to use everything you carry.

Most importantly, recognize when a situation requires trained medical professionals, utility workers, or specialized cleanup crews.