Disaster Preparedness: What You Need | Mayo Clinic Health Matters Podcast

Disasters can happen anywhere — from tornadoes and hurricanes to wildfires, earthquakes and floods. But a little planning can make a big difference. On this episode of Health Matters, Mayo Clinic emergency management expert Deb Teske shares practical disaster preparedness tips for your home, car and family. Learn what to pack in an emergency kit, how to build a go bag, how to plan for medications, children, older adults, pets and people with disabilities, and what to do when communication, water, sanitation or medical care is limited. You'll also learn how hospitals prepare for disasters, power outages, mass-casualty events and other emergencies — and how you can make your own health care plan before a crisis happens. In this episode: • Emergency kit essentials • Go bag checklist • Disaster preparedness tips • First aid basics • Emergency water safety • Sanitation during disasters • Mental health after disasters • Family emergency communication plans • Hospital emergency preparedness • How to prepare for hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and wildfires Listen to more Health Matters episodes: https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/podcasts/health-matters/ 0:00 Content warning and episode introduction 1:33 Meet emergency management expert Deb Teske 2:22 Emergency kit basics for every household 5:42 Preparing kids, older adults, and pets 9:27 Home, car, and workplace kits 11:48 Low-cost planning and family communication 16:08 Avoiding panic with practical disaster plans 17:50 Key takeaways for emergency preparedness 19:04 Treating injuries during disaster aftermath 22:56 Responding to hazardous air and water 26:34 Sanitation and mental well-being after disasters 31:26 How hospitals prepare for disasters From Mayo Clinic to your inbox (free): https://mayocl.in/3e71zfi Visit Mayo Clinic: https://mayocl.in/2COVmlm Connect with Mayo Clinic: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayoclinic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayoclinic X: https://x.com/MayoClinic Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mayoclinic