This winter has been moderately rough in terms of illness for my family and me. Since we recently welcomed our baby daughter in January, I have been extra judicious in making sure our hands are washed, deciding which outings we attend, and otherwise just keeping our little family safe from major colds and the flu. This has certainly not been easy with two older children in school, and we have definitely been hit with our fair share of coughs and runny noses more frequently than not!
Of course this year, the recent possibility of a coronavirus outbreak has many more people thinking about emergency preparedness and the general avoidance of acute illnesses. As both a pharmacist and mom, I am aware of the importance of being prepared and have compiled a list of essential items to always keep on hand.
Medications
Logistically, it is somewhat difficult to keep an emergency supply of prescription and/or life-sustaining medications on hand due to insurance limitations on how much can be obtained at one time, but – in general – it is a great idea to always keep on top of refills and to make sure you are never waiting until the very last minute to refill anything. For example, keep an extra inhaler on hand if your child suffers from asthma, or a few tablets of seizure medication for epilepsy.
Other important medications to keep on hand are:
Fever-reducing agents, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. It is a great idea to keep all forms on hand (tablets, liquids, chewables) to ensure that children of multiple ages can easily take. I personally sway towards using ibuprofen more, but having both agents on hand means you can alternate every 4 hours to ensure that high fevers are being controlled. Ibuprofen is also not recommended for infants under six months of age, whereas acetaminophen can be used from three months on. Aspirin is never recommended for children under 12 and should be not be relied on for adequate fever reducing in young populations.
Hydration items, such as Pedialyte or electrolyte packets. For an emergency stock, I like keeping powdered electrolyte packets on hand that can be mixed with water prior to administration. The powder form has a longer shelf life, and the single-use packets can ensure freshness.
Probiotics. A daily probiotic can help strengthen immunity towards certain illnesses, but an emergency stock of probiotics can also help with diarrhea associated with antibiotic use or acute diarrhea from stomach bugs.
A first aid kit. Ensure your first aid kit is well stocked with bandages, a thermometer, gauze pads, alcohol, hand sanitizer, and antibiotic ointment.
Allergy medications. I only recommend keeping an emergency stock of allergy medications if you or your family is easily affected by seasonal allergies or if allergies quickly kick start colds and other respiratory illnesses. Diphenhydramine (Benedryl) is a cost-effective, easy-to-obtain antihistamine that can not only be used for allergies, but also for sleep and nausea. I also like keeping an intranasal steroid spray, like fluticasone (Flonase), on hand.
Miscellaneous items, such as extra dosing cups or syringes, a nasal aspirator for infants or young children, tissues, and ginger ale for nausea.
If you have to quarantine your family for a few days, it is also a great idea to have indoor activities on hand, like movies, coloring books, puzzles, games, and other activities to keep young children entertained and occupied.
Other important items to keep on hand for any sort of emergency in general are:
Batteries
Extra cash
Blankets or sleeping bags
Food (think shelf-stable items like canned items, rice, and oatmeal packets)
Flashlights
Candles and matches
Bottled water
Cleaning agents and hand sanitizer
Household items (like paper towels, toilet paper, and garbage bags)
Your preferred items for protection
Whether it is the coronavirus or the possibility of other illnesses or emergencies, it is always a great idea to be prepared.
