What to Do First: Medications and Devices That Cannot Wait
If you or someone in your home depends on insulin, oxygen, dialysis, or another daily medication, a disaster plan needs a medical layer added to it. The short answer: keep a 7 to 14 day supply of medication and supplies on hand, know how to keep temperature-sensitive drugs safe without power, have a backup power plan for any medical device, and carry a written list of your prescriptions and providers. Build this before an emergency, not during one.
This guide follows guidance from Ready.gov (part of the Department of Homeland Security) and the CDC’s diabetes emergency preparedness resources. It covers planning steps only. It is not medical advice, and nothing here replaces instructions from your doctor or pharmacist.
Warning Signs That Need Immediate Medical Attention
Call 911 or get emergency care right away for any of the following, disaster or not:
- Signs of severe high or low blood sugar, including confusion, slurred speech, seizures, or loss of consciousness
- Trouble breathing, blue lips or fingertips, or an oxygen device that has stopped working and cannot be restored
- Missed dialysis with swelling, shortness of breath, or confusion
- Any medication reaction, overdose, or severe allergic reaction
Do not wait for a storm or outage to pass if any of these happen. Emergency plans are for reducing risk beforehand, not for managing a medical crisis in progress.
Build a Medication and Supply Kit
The CDC recommends people managing diabetes pack enough supplies to last one to two weeks, stored in a waterproof container. The same approach applies to most chronic conditions. A basic kit includes:
- A 7 to 14 day supply of every prescription and over-the-counter medicine you take regularly
- Copies of prescriptions, not just the pill bottles, since pharmacies may need them to refill early during a declared disaster
- Backup batteries for any battery-powered device: blood glucose meters, hearing aids, motorized wheelchairs, CPAP machines, or continuous glucose monitors
- Extra glasses, hearing aids, mobility aids, or other assistive equipment you use daily
- A list of allergies, current dosages, and administration times
- A waterproof bag or hard case to keep everything dry and together
Check expiration dates every few months and rotate supplies into daily use before they expire, replacing what you use.
Medication Storage Without Power: What the FDA and CDC Actually Say
Insulin is the medication people worry about most during a power outage, and the guidance is more forgiving than many people expect. According to the FDA, insulin manufacturers recommend refrigeration at roughly 36°F to 46°F for unopened vials to maintain potency through the printed expiration date. But the CDC notes that if refrigeration is not available, the priority is to keep insulin cool and away from direct heat and sunlight, and never let it freeze. Insulin that has been stored above 86°F may still be usable, but you should monitor blood sugar closely afterward and tell your doctor once the emergency has passed.
For any temperature-sensitive medication, not just insulin:
- Never let it freeze. Freezing damages many medications permanently, including insulin.
- Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from hot surfaces like a car dashboard or window ledge.
- A cooler with ice packs, or a battery or hand-crank cooling device made for insulin, can extend safe storage during an outage.
- Always check the medication for a cloudy appearance, unusual color, or particles before use, and follow the specific instructions printed on your prescription label.
These are general planning points. Ask your pharmacist which of your specific medications are temperature-sensitive and what storage window applies if the refrigerator stops working.
Backup Power for Medical Devices
If anyone in your household relies on an oxygen concentrator, CPAP machine, feeding pump, or other powered medical equipment, power loss is the single biggest risk in most disasters. Ready.gov’s guidance for people with disabilities and access needs calls for keeping devices charged ahead of a storm and having a backup power source and charging plan ready.
Questions to answer before an emergency:
- Does your device have a battery backup, and how many hours does it run on a full charge?
- Do you have a car charger or portable power bank rated for your device’s wattage?
- Does your utility company have a medical priority restoration list? Many do, but you usually have to register in advance.
- If you use oxygen tanks instead of a concentrator, do you have enough backup tanks and know your usage rate?
For households weighing a portable power station or backup generator as part of this plan, our Home Preparedness coverage compares continuous output versus peak output, which matters directly for anything with a compressor or startup surge, like an oxygen concentrator.
Build Your Medical Information Sheet
Ready.gov and the CDC both recommend keeping a written medical information sheet with your emergency supplies. Put a copy in your kit, your wallet, and with a trusted contact. Include:
- Full list of medications, dosages, and times taken
- Known allergies and medical conditions
- Name, address, and phone number for your pharmacy and each treating provider
- Health insurance and Medicare/Medicaid information
- Make, model, and serial number of any medical device you use
- Emergency contact information for a family member or caregiver
Prescription Access During a Disaster
Many states allow emergency prescription refills before your normal refill date once a disaster is officially declared. This is not automatic everywhere, and rules vary by state and by insurance plan, so this is something to confirm directly with your pharmacy and insurer rather than assume. Steps you can take now:
- Ask your pharmacy if they support emergency early refills and what documentation they need
- Keep a paper copy of every prescription, since electronic records can be unreachable if systems are down
- Know a second pharmacy location or chain in case your usual pharmacy is closed
- If you use mail-order prescriptions, keep a short local backup supply in case shipping is delayed
Decision Path: Shelter in Place or Evacuate
Medical needs often decide this question before anything else does.
- Shelter in place if: your medical equipment needs a stable power setup you’ve already built, moving would interrupt a treatment schedule like dialysis, and local officials have not ordered evacuation.
- Evacuate if: officials order it, your backup power will not last through the expected outage, or you cannot safely keep medication at a safe temperature where you are.
- Either way: your medication kit, backup batteries, and medical information sheet should already be packed and ready to grab, not something you assemble under pressure.
If you evacuate, our Bug Out Bag coverage looks at pack weight and organization, which matters when you’re adding a medication case and device chargers to what you carry. If your plan depends on stored water for staying hydrated around medication schedules, our Emergency Food & Water coverage walks through storage amounts and shelf life.
Evidence Limits and Extra-Caution Groups
Storage temperature tolerances for insulin and other medications can vary by manufacturer and formulation. The ranges described here are general findings, not guarantees for every product. People who are pregnant, are managing type 1 diabetes, are on dialysis, or care for infants or older adults with chronic conditions should build extra margin into supply amounts and confirm specifics with a treating provider before relying on any storage workaround.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much medication should I keep on hand for an emergency?
The CDC recommends a one to two week supply for chronic conditions like diabetes. Ask your pharmacist and insurer whether your plan allows an emergency supply refill ahead of time.
Is it safe to use insulin that wasn’t refrigerated during a power outage?
The CDC notes that insulin stored above 86°F during an outage may still be usable, but you should monitor your blood sugar closely and never use insulin that has frozen, changed color, or developed particles. Confirm with your doctor once the emergency has passed.
What should I do if my oxygen concentrator loses power?
Switch to backup oxygen tanks if you have them and seek emergency medical help if you cannot restore oxygen delivery. This is why a tested backup power plan, built before the emergency, matters more for oxygen users than almost any other preparedness step.
Can I get an early prescription refill during a declared disaster?
Many states and insurers allow early emergency refills once a disaster is declared, but the rules differ by location and plan. Confirm the process with your pharmacy and insurer in advance rather than during an emergency.
Educational Disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for guidance from your doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or medical device routine based on this article. In a medical emergency, call 911. See our Medical Disclaimer for more information.