Essential household medical items needed during a freeze

Make sure your home first aid kit is prepared for the next winter freeze with the right medical supplies.

In times of extremely cold weather or freezing winter weather, staying healthy and safe can present a challenge. Slippery roads, power outages, freezing temperatures and much more are what some people face once their area is frozen over, making it impossible to leave the house. How can you make sure your home medical supplies are prepared for a winter disaster?

In the time of a disaster, there are usually checklists and reminders about what to do, from preparing your home to evacuation plans, all over the news and digital channels. However, a simple “what to do” in a home medical emergency is often overlooked.

First, it’s important to make sure your medical supply kit is prepared for a winter storm before the last minute. We’ve all seen it before: Store shelves are empty as the panic of a predicted disaster sets in with checkout lines closed for hours. Planning in preparation for a winter storm is crucial, especially in areas where extreme cold conditions are typical. Stocking up on items early for a winter frost—especially medical supplies, which are available year-round—doesn’t have to surprise you.

Preparing ahead of time and stocking up on essential supplies is vital for those where winter storms are normally expected. Unfortunately, the severity and duration of a storm are generally unknown. Below are some items to have in your home emergency kit during a winter frost.

Hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes
burn cream
Antihistamine such as Benadryl
Bandages and bandages of all sizes
antibiotic ointment
Pain relievers and fever reducers
oral thermometer
scissors and tweezers
Gloves
cold pack

Important note: You and your loved ones should always have at least a week’s supply of prescription medication on hand, especially during a disaster. For medications that need to be kept cold, keep frozen packs on hand in case of a power outage.

This is how the CDC tells people to generally prepare for a winter storm.

Stay safe indoors during a frost

During a winter storm advisory, conditions make it extremely dangerous to be outside. Take as few short trips as possible to protect your health and safety. Overexposure to freezing temperatures exposes you to serious medical conditions such as hypothermia and frostbite. To avoid these medical emergencies, you must stay indoors. If you have to go outside, please do the following:

Wear several layers of clothing.
Stay dry.
Avoid gasoline and alcohol on or in the body.
Do not ignore chills – this is the body’s first sign of losing heat.
Cold, dry air triggers asthma attacks.

24/7 emergency services

Here at Red River ER & Hospital, we provide 24/7 access to world-class, advanced emergency medical services for you and your loved ones, regardless of the weather. Our state-of-the-art facilities and team of experts are equipped to provide medical care, regardless of illness or injury, every time, with minimal wait.

If you or a loved one finds yourself in a medical emergency during a winter storm or due to overexposure to cold temperatures and you feel it is safe enough to travel, visit Red River ER & Hospital. We are here to help!

Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Red River ER & Hospital and Nutex Health state that nothing on this site, regardless of date, should be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your physician or other qualified physicians.