The sky has been behaving.
Cooler mornings. Lower humidity. Halloween this weekend.
It's easy to think storm season packed up and left.
It didn't. Hurricane season runs through Nov 30.
And the quiet weeks are the best time to get ready.
The part of the kit people skip
Most of us have the basics somewhere. Water. Flashlights. That one can opener.
The health side is what usually gets missed. And it's the part that's hardest to sort out after the power goes.
So this week, just that part.
Your 10 minute health kit check
Medications. Know what you'd need for a week or two away from home. Ask your pharmacist how refills work in an emergency.
A written meds list. Names, doses as prescribed, and your prescribing doctor. Paper, not just your phone.
Copies of key cards. Insurance cards, ID, and any medical info in a zip bag.
First aid basics. Bandages, gauze, tape, antiseptic wipes, and any over the counter items you already use.
Glasses and hearing aid batteries. Spares if you have them.
Anything that plugs in. If you or someone at home relies on a powered medical device, talk to your provider now about a backup plan.
Printed contacts. Family, doctors, pharmacy. When the phone dies, this is your phone book.
This week's tools
Two free, official resources do the heavy lifting:
Ready.gov: Build a Kit has the full supply checklist, including a section on medications and medical needs.
FloridaDisaster.org: Plan and Prepare is Florida's own planning hub, with plan templates and info for people with special needs.
Pick one. Print the checklist. Walk the house with a pen.
The South Florida angle
Down here, the storm doesn't have to be a direct hit to cause trouble.
A weak system can still knock out power for days. Days without AC in our humidity are hard on anyone, and harder on older neighbors and parents.
So while you're at it:
Check on one person. A parent, a neighbor, a friend who lives alone. Ask if their kit includes the health stuff.
Know your plan if the power goes. Where you'd go to cool off, and how you'd get there.
Keep a cooler and ice plan if any of your medications need to stay cold. Ask your pharmacist what to do.
Reader FAQ
Q: It's almost November. Is this really worth it?
The season runs through Nov 30. And everything on this list works for any power outage, any time of year.
Q: My kit is from three years ago. Is it fine?
Open it. Check dates on medications, first aid items, and batteries. Swap what's expired.
Q: Where do I start if I have nothing?
Start with the written meds list and copies of your cards. That's ten minutes and costs nothing.
This week's one thing
Tonight, write your medications list on paper and put it in a zip bag with a copy of your insurance card.
That's it. Then go enjoy the cool weather.
Stay well, South Florida. 🌴
Kevin Andreosky, South Florida Health