Tropical Storm Bret was a reminder of how quick storms can pop up.  That is why the news media and local officials always stress how important it is to be prepared.

How prepared are you?  If you have allergies or asthma you must be prepared. 

I know, easier said than done, especially when you are on a tight budget.  But it can be done and it will really make a difference.  Now I personally start buying defensive tuna in May.  Storms fear the power of canned tuna and I am a firm believer that the more cans of tuna you have in your pantry during storm season the more protection you have.  In fact, the year our home and business were damaged by hurricane Wilma was the only time I had not purchased tuna well in advance.  It was October and I had no tuna.  Wilma showed me!  She ripped the roof off of our business and blew out a window in our house.  Since then, I believe you can't have enough tuna and you must buy it well in advance to ward off storms..  Last minute tuna purchases may feed your family, but they do not keep storms away.  Make sure you buy tuna and buy it now!

Seriously, in addition to the things like non-perishable foods, batteries, flashlight, radios and the regular things emergency managers tell you to have there are some items that are necessary if you have allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions. 

Of course make sure you have plenty of your prescribed medications.  Also, keep a list of all medications you take and the frequency of dosage.   If you use a nebulizer for inhaled medications, do you have a compressor that operates on batteries or a car battery?  DeVilbiss makes a portable compressor/nebulizer model they call The Traveler.  It is perfect when you don't have a reliable power source. Also make sure that you have over-the-counter antihistamines like loratadine on hand.   When you don't have power, laundry is a struggle and you can forget washing sheets weekly in De-Mite. Pollen counts can be high after a storm. The great outdoors will be making itself at home in your house if you have to keep all windows open for ventilation.

While it has nothing to do with allergies, I discovered that a large supply of the 30 gallon trash bags is a valued part of your supply stash.  They will come in handy for protecting things from moisture and further damage.  they are also an easy way to carry things around. Also, trash pick up won't resume right after a storm and you will need the bags to collect your trash.  Have a bottle of disinfecting spray like Vital-Oxide on hand.  There is just so much mold in the days and weeks after a storm.  An antimicrobial spray like Vital Oxide will come in handy when you are cleaning up.  You can use it to clean food preparation areas when hot water is scarce.  Add it to your rinse water when you are washing dishes.  Speaking of washing, keep disposable plates on hand. Sure makes things easier when you don't have to wash dishes.  Lots of people keep chlorine bleach as part of their storm supplies. I prefer the Vital Oxide because the active ingredient, chlorine dioxide, is not as toxic as liquid chlorine bleach and it doesn't release chlorine gas. 

Speaking of washing, make sure you have enough water.  Allergy begins in the immune system and anything that has an adverse effect on the immune system affects your allergies.  Proper hydration is important to your immune health.  Storms are stressful and the added stress isn't good for your immune system.  If you aren't getting the proper amount of water to drink or the proper amount of sleep, you will just make your allergies worse.  Hydration is more important than nutrition (just don't tell that to my cans of tuna).

They tell you to keep important papers in a waterproof bag.  I recommend that you keep a copy of your health insurance card as well as your auto and homeowner's insurance information.  Remember, those computers don't work when you don't have power.  If you own a small business, I recommend that you keep the contact information and policy information for your commercial carrier with you.  If you have children, keep a copy of their immunization records and a list of antibiotics that they have safely taken in the past.

How you fare in the aftermath of a storm does depend on how well you are prepared. 

Til next time!

Cheryl
The Allergy Store