Large swaths of the country are hunkering down in preparation for a winter snow storm, and those persons most in danger during such emergencies are those who rely on medical devices for their safety and health.
The Food and Drug Administration wants to hear from the public and from medical professionals about how the ongoing supply and production of medical devices can be protected during natural disasters or severe weather situations. In April, they’ll hold an Advisory Committee dedicated to the topic in the hopes of developing steps that might be taken to ensure safety in the future.
Until that happens, though, they also want people across the country to stay safe during hazardous weather. If your device requires electricity in order to operate, then you should speak to your doctor and learn what you can do to protect yourself. If power loss is likely, get in touch with emergency officials and have them transport you someplace safe before the storm hits.
If your device has some other power source, such as a battery, make sure you have extra components on hand so that you can switch out parts if the primary unit becomes compromised. And if your device supplies you with oxygen, don’t use open flames to light your home if the power goes out, as this could easily lead to a fire.