Power Outage Prep: Helping Loved Ones With Home Medical Equipment
When the lights go out unexpectedly, most families groan, then dig out their flashlights and start giggling. But when you have a loved one who depends on home medical equipment, a power outage is so much more than an inconvenience. In fact, losing electricity can be downright dangerous. The truth is that power outages are usually a surprise so they key is to be prepared, at all times, for losing power. But how do you do that?
Notify your power company
Most utility companies keep a list of medical priority patients, meaning they are aware that someone at the address needs electricity at all times. This, of course, does not keep outages from happening, but it can place your home on a priority list to get electricity back as soon as possible. Call your utility company and ask what it takes to be placed on such a list. You may need to send a letter as well as some documentation from your loved one's doctor.
Have a generator
If your family member's medical equipment needs constant electricity, you must have a generator on hand. It's important to read the directions thoroughly and do a monthly check to make sure you know how to use it and that it is in good working order. You won't have time to try to figure it out in an outage when time is crucial.
Have back-up batteries
If it is an option for the medical equipment to run on batteries, make sure you have several fully-charged batteries on hand. If batteries sit in a drawer or a closet, they can lose some of their power over time, so, along with the generator, do consistent checks to make sure your back-up batteries are ready if you need them.
Have an escape plan
If an outage is widespread and you don't think power will be restored for several days, you may need to figure out an escape plan. Circumstances such as weather or fire can alter plans, of course, but it's good to have an outline of where you will go and how you will get there should the need to leave home arise.
Keep meds cold
Many medications require refrigeration. If you lose power, you can keep the medication the refrigerator as long as the items inside are staying chilled. Open the refrigerator as little as possible. Be sure to have a cooler and plenty of ice on hand to keep meds chilled if you need to leave home in an emergency.
Keep food pumps charged
You don't use a food pump all the time, so when you aren't using it, charge it so that it's ready to go in an outage and can last you a little while. You should also know how to use a gravity bag for feeding in case you are unable to use the pump.
A power outage can be a fun adventure for families who aren't dependent on electricity for medical care. However, when you have a loved one on electricity-dependent home medical equipment, it's not an adventure, but rather a potential life or death situation. The key is to take steps ahead of time so you know what to do during a power outage. Being well prepared is the best defense in an emergency. If you have further questions, a home health care provider like Lincoln Mobility or others may be able to help you answer them.
Share