Our heads are spinning as we helplessly watched family friends face the devastation of hurricanes, flooding, wildfire and earthquakes. Natural disasters have no mercy and lash out at any time. Folks in our food allergy and asthma world manage an extra layer of concern during these types of disasters. The best tool we have is our own pre-planning. Sue Webb, host of the Parenting Food Allergies Podcast, invited me to chat all things about being prepared for natural disasters while she discussed how to help those who have been impacted.
I grew up in earthquake prone California and now live in wildfire and earthquake prone Nevada. Realizing my lack of wildfire knowledge, the locals immediately educated me about always being prepared for wildfire. Which, I quickly learned can be applied and adapted to almost any natural calamity. The basics were to have a “go bag” stocked and ready with critical medications, documents and emergency items, such as flashlights, food, cash, etc. I modified this go bag into “go shelves” in my pantry and medicine cabinet. I keep travel savvy allergen safe foods on a self, next to a bag, ready for a single arm sweep off of the shelf and into my bag! The same thing goes for my medicines too! I keep my items ready for a fast swoop.
Sue shares some very important links and information on how we can help other food allergy families working through the two recent natural disasters: Hurricane Harvey and Irma.
“Hurricane Assistance for Food Allergy Families and Disaster Preparedness” podcast.
Thanks for listening to the podcast and most of all, for considering donating and helping with any relief possible. I can’t even begin to imagine what these folks are going through. I pray for their safety and sanity as they pick up their lives and start moving forward.
That time and energy will pay off if you ever do have an emergency and need to rush out. Even though we have been only on high alert in the past, I was relieved beyond words to have been ready to.
A big shout out to the food allergy companies, individuals and organizations who are rolling up their sleeves and providing information and product! This is when community really counts!
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..