Top Medical Supplies to Stay Safe During California Wildfires

As the fire is raging in the Californian Palisades, evacuation orders have been issued for thousands of residents. Many of them are likely to face severe respiratory problems due to inhaling the dense smoke. In addition, there is also a risk of getting burns, eye irritation, etc. Therefore, it is better to prepare an emergency kit or a ‘Go Bag’ with top medical supplies ahead of time to keep your family as protected as possible.

In this article, let us dive into some of the top medical supplies that you will need to safely evacuate the burning regions or to stay near the affected areas.

Top Medical Supplies Needed During the California Wildfires

The following are some of the top medical supplies required if you are living near the areas affected by the wildfires:

1.      Respiratory Protection

The necessary respiratory equipment during a wildfire includes the following:

N95 Masks

Wildfires generate thick and acrid smoke which gets into our lungs and causes suffocation. As a protective measure, the use of NIOSH-approved respirators such as N95 or P100 masks is recommended. As these can filter the inhaled air, the particulate matter is separated out and thus the lungs are protected against harmful chemical substances.

Reusable Respirators

Reusable respirators are medical equipment that are ideal for individuals who are constantly exposed to dense smoke. Therefore, these are some of the top medical supplies for firefighters. These come with exchangeable filters or cartridges that can be chosen depending on the severity of the exposed smoke.

Air Purifiers

These days, a good quality air purifier is a necessity owing to the high pollution levels in urban areas. However, these become even more important if you are near the wildfire-affected areas. It is best to choose a product with high-efficiency particulate air or HEPA filters which are known for removing particles of the size 0.3 micron or above with 99.97% efficiency.

These top medical supplies can thus improve the air quality indoors by timely delivery of purified oxygen during the days when smoke is thick and heavy. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends using medical equipment that has MERV 13 or higher filters indoors.

Oxygen Concentrators

For people who have respiratory complications, taking in oxygen is harder than for a normal person. In such cases, physicians recommend the use of medical devices known as oxygen concentrators whenever the person feels suffocated. However, medical equipment like oxygen concentrators becomes even more essential if the patient is surrounded by wildfire smoke that causes severe respiratory issues.

2.      First Aid and Burn Care

The following medical equipment and products should be included in the emergency kits for dealing with minor burns and wounds:

Burn Gel and Creams

Apart from some of the top medical supplies for respiratory protection, keeping a stock of burn care items is also essential. These come in handy while dealing with minor injuries caused by direct exposure to the fire.

In this regard, products like Medihoney Wound Healing Gel are ideal when used with suitable wound dressing. It should be applied to the burns to relieve the sensation of pain and burning.

Emergency Burn Dressings

Some of the cooling dressings should also be included in the emergency wildfire kit. These come in handy to dress minor burns in case of an emergency. An example of these products is the Medline Curad gauze dressing.

Medline Curad Sterile Latex-free Xeroform Petroleum Gauze Dressings are also suitable and should be kept in wildfire preparedness kits. These are some of the top medical supplies that contain 3% bismuth tribromophenate mixed in a petrolatum base to provide a moist environment for the wound.

First Aid Kits

Having a prepared first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptics, hand sanitizers , disinfecting wipes, and pain relieving products for treating minor injuries is also a good option. Some of these first-aid kits also contain eyewash, forceps, trauma pads, as well as waterproof tapes.

Two of these first-aid kits containing essential medical equipment are the PPEKIT PPE On The Go Safety Kit as well as First Aid Only 520-FR First Responder Kit. Both of these are equipped with the necessary items needed for the management of burns and minor wounds.

Cold Compress Packs

Another top medical supplies item needed for the management of burns as well as heat exhaustion is the cold compress packs. These are disposable products that provide instant cooling to the burnt site. This way, the risk of an infection is effectively reduced. The patient also gets quick relief from the burning sensation experienced at the site of injury.

The use of Dynarex Instant Cold Packs is often recommended in this regard. These are latex-free products that provide immediate cooling to the burnt skin. Moreover, the risk of any kind of allergy is also minimal. As the products are ready to use and do not require any refrigeration, these should be preferred over other items.

3.      Eye and Skin Protection

For the protection of eyes and skin, the following items should be included in the preparedness kit:

Safety Goggles

Safety goggles are required to keep the eyes protected from ash, debris, or smoke. These are plastic-based items that should be included in every wildfire preparedness kit. As eyes remain free from getting affected by the smoke, the sensation of burning and watering of the eyes can be avoided.

Moreover, if you have to drive out of the wildfire-affected zone, these safety goggles can help you see clearly throughout the journey by keeping your eyes unaffected. One of the top medical supplies in this domain is the safety goggles with clear polycarbonate construction. These have an anti-fog construction and are highly durable.

Moisturizing Lotions

Moisturizing lotions are needed to prevent the skin from getting irritated due to exposure to smoke and dry conditions. Good quality lotions have a high level of moisture-retaining capacity and thus provide the skin with the necessary water needed to keep the cellular tissue well-hydrated.

Among the top medical supplies, the Performance Health Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Lotion is a great pick. It is formulated using pure coca butter and therefore provides deep hydration to the skin. Moreover, its lightweight texture does not make the user uncomfortable. That’s why, it is a suitable product to pack in your wildfire emergency kit.

Eye Drops

With an aim to relieve the dryness as well as irritation in the eyes caused due to prolonged exposure to smoke, the use of eye drops is recommended. These should be kept in the emergency wildfire kit to clean the debris, ash, as well as particulate matter from the eyes. Moreover, their prophylactic use is also helpful in preventing eye irritation, especially in children.

A good quality product in this domain is the Soothe PF Dry Eye Drops. These are preservative-free products that lubricate the eyes and protect them from stinging or burning sensation.

Safety glasses work by providing solutions to possible eye issues due to thick smoke

4.      Disaster Preparedness Kit

The following kinds of preparedness kits should be invested in to help you deal with wildfire emergencies:

Portable Emergency Kits

At the time of a fire disaster, staying prepared can save you from future respiratory conditions, infections, digestive issues, etc. In some cases, the preventive measures taken at the right time can save lives.

These portable emergency kits must include the top medical supplies essential during evacuation, water purification tablets, and basic survival items. In addition, necessary medicines such as painkillers as well as antibiotics should also be included in these kits.

Emergency Blankets

Emergency blankets are needed for the individuals who are displaced due to the wildfires. These are standard foil blankets that are small enough to fit in the emergency kit. These come in handy to keep you warm.

Personal Medical Information Kits

A personal medical information kit is a pre-packed kit that is used to carry medical records as well as necessary medications. As, during a wildfire evacuation, taking your medical records and medicines with you can save the doctors much time in learning if you have any medical condition or are allergic to any specific drug molecule. This information is necessary for your own safety and protection against a treatment error.

5.      Respiratory Medical Devices

The respiratory instruments needed during a wildfire include the following items:

Pulse Oximeters

Pulse oximeters are needed to measure the oxygen saturation level in the blood. These are attached with the finger from where they detect the oxygen from the blood vessels and display it on their LCD.

Pulse oximeters are necessary during a wildfire as inhaling the smoke for longer can lower the oxygen level in the body. Such patients need immediate oxygen therapy to prevent the levels from dropping any further.

Especially if you have a respiratory patient with your family, it is advised to buy and keep a pulse oximeter in your wildfire preparedness kit. This way, you can keep an eye on the oxygen saturation levels and know when to seek medical help. Our recommendation is the American Diagnostic Pulse Oximeter. These diagnostic equipment are budget-friendly products that come with a 2-year warranty.

Nebulizers

Among people suffering from respiratory disorders like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the risk of worsened breathing rate in case of a wildfire is high. As a treatment, medications need to be given to the patient through inhalation.

For this purpose, the use of nebulizers is necessary. These top medical supplies contain and supply liquid medications to the patient at a specified rate that reaches the lungs and relief congestion. Therefore, a nebulizer must be included in the emergency kit of every respiratory patient.

One such product is the SUN MED Continuous Nebulizer Misty Finity which is small in size and can be easily fitted into the emergency bag. It is also available in different sizes and flow rates.

6.      Hydration and Cooling Equipment

In addition to the above-discussed top medical supplies needed during a wildfire, some other items should also be packed in the emergency kit. These include the following:

Portable Water Bottles with Filters

These portable water bottles can help carry clean water that you can fill from home before evacuating. In addition, you can refill them on the way and stay hydrated. The filters present in these bottles help clear the debris and ashes from water and make it fit for drinking purposes.

Electrolyte Powders

Electrolyte powder is required for staying hydrated during fires as excessive sweating due to heat can cause electrolyte loss. People often experience fatigue or faint due to severe dehydration. Therefore, adding electrolyte power to your water helps you retain water.

Cooling Vests and Towels

Keeping some cooling vests and towels in your emergency kit is also essential as these can help you fight heat exhaustion.

7.      Specialized Medical Equipment for Firefighters

For firefighters, two of the most essential items include the following:

Fire-Resistant Clothing

Fire-resistant clothing items like gloves, jackets, and pants protect the firefighters from getting burnt. These are prepared by fire-retardant materials that do not catch fire and thus protect the skin.

Helmet-Mounted Respirators

Helmet-mounted respirators are another marvel of the healthcare industry as these help the firefighters breathe while being surrounded by the acrid, thick smoke. These help clean the air for them and thus ensure comfortable breathing.

*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.

The top medical supplies mentioned in this article, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of top medical supplies for staying safe during wildfires.

Conclusion

If you are trapped in an area affected by wildfires, you know that the smoke and particulate matter in the air makes it hard to breathe. Such issues become life-threatening if a person already has a respiratory illness.

In such cases, keeping a wildfire preparedness kit can save you from trouble. Some of the top medical supplies needed in this regard have been discussed in the article. These products include face masks, respirators, water bottles, electrolyte powders, burn creams, etc. In addition, taking necessary documents and medical records while evacuating is necessary.

Preparing an emergency wildfire kit with all the necessary medical devices and products can take time but it can be a life-saving investment. For purchasing top medical supplies to combat a wildfire emergency, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.

Click to Buy Top Medical Supplies from Health Supply 770

Derma Sciences 31805 Medihoney Wound & Burn Dressing Gel 0.5 oz. CS/40

Medline Curad Sterile Latex-Free Xeroform Petrolatum Gauze Dressing 5″ x 9″ (CUR253590)

First Aid Only 520-FR First Responder Kit 24 Person Cordura Semi-rigid Bag EACH

PPEKIT PPE On The Go Safety Kit

4512 Dynarex Instant Cold Pack, 5×9″, CS24

Safety Goggles

Performance Health Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Lotion (A64131)

R855 Soothe PF Dry Eye Drops VL 30 x 0.2oz

American Diagnostic 2150 Oximeter Pulse SP02 Adimals Fingertip Ped 1/EA

SUN MED Continuous Nebulizer – Misty Finity 002530

References

https://www.cdc.gov/wildfires/safety/how-to-safely-stay-safe-during-a-wildfire.html

https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2020-10/respiratory-protection-no-niosh_0.pdf