Major weather events can have a serious impact on the health and safety of those living with diabetes. Taking a few extra precautions can help you stay safe and healthy even when the weather outside is at its worst. Here are five hints for playing it safe when bad weather strikes your area.

1. Always carry along snacks
Bad weather can cause delays in travel and may leave you stranded at work or in your vehicle for a prolonged period. Keeping a few snacks on hand to manage episodes of low blood sugar can ensure that you maintain control over your diabetes symptoms and protect yourself during these unexpected delays.

2. Follow official recommendations
Hurricane warnings and winter storm advisories often include advice on where to go and what to do during these serious weather events. By following the directions given by local and state authorities during inclement weather, you can often avoid dangerous situations that may create special problems for those with diabetes. It is especially important to obey any evacuation orders; failure to comply with these directives can sometimes result in long periods stranded without necessary medical supplies, electricity or working sanitation facilities.

3. Exercise moderation
Shoveling snow and clearing ice from sidewalks and driveways can put significant strain on patients with diabetes, especially those who already experience cardiopulmonary problems because of the disease. The combination of cold weather and hard physical labor can be challenging even for those in excellent health; for diabetes patients, enlisting help in these tasks can be a wise choice. If you must clear your own sidewalks, steps or driveway, be sure to take frequent breaks and check glucose levels with a blood sugar monitor throughout the process to prevent serious fluctuations caused by stress and exertion.

4. Charge ahead
Charging cell phones and mobile communication devices before the storm hits can provide you with added ways to reach medical help if it becomes necessary. This simple preparatory step can potentially save your life, so it is well worth the extra effort to ensure that you stay connected for as long as possible throughout the emergency weather situation.

5. Stock up to save a life
Maintaining an emergency supply of insulin and syringes can literally be a lifesaver for insulin-dependent diabetes patients if a storm prevents travel for an extended period of time. Because insulin requires refrigeration, a battery-operated chilling system can serve as a backup method for storing insulin safely during a prolonged power outage. Be sure to keep plenty of the appropriate batteries on hand to ensure that you can stay medicated and healthy throughout the duration of the storm and its aftermath.

Planning a strategy in advance can help you to cope with extreme weather conditions more effectively and can provide you with the tools you need to manage diabetes before, during and after the storm.

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About the author: Howard has diabetes and enjoys writing about how to improve your health. He recently came across dexcom.com, a site that has lots of information regarding diabetes and how to control your blood sugar level.