Building an Emergency Kit

Building an Emergency Kit Building an emergency supply kit is an important part of preparedness. This kit ensures that your program has sufficient supplies and food if you and the children need to shelter in place or evacuate in an emergency for at least 72 hours. Make sure that all items are up to date and not expired. Consider appointing someone to be responsible for routinely checking expiration dates of the food in your kit. Here are some items you might consider including in your kit:

 Emergency contact information for children and staff

 Attendance sheet

 Facility floor plan with evacuation routes outlined

 Printed directions to evacuation sites

 Medication list with dosing instructions for each child who takes medication

 Battery- or hand-powered weather radio

 Battery-powered walkie-talkies to communicate with staff

 Fully charged cell phone and charger

 Flashlight and batteries

 First aid kit

 Diapers, toilet paper, diaper wipes

 Sanitary wipes and hand sanitizer

 Non-latex medical gloves

 Dry or canned infant formula

 Bottled water

 Non-perishable food

 Work gloves

 Paper towels

 Blankets

 Alternative power source for electric medical devices (if needed)

 Whistle

 Wrench or pliers for the director to turn off utilities

 Matches in a waterproof container

 Games or activities to entertain children

Practice Your Plan Practicing your emergency plan in advance helps everyone respond quickly and appropriately when an emergency situation arises. You won’t know if the plan works unless you try it out, so practice with all children and adults. If you have enrolled children or staff with special health care needs or disabilities, address these specific needs with community partners during practice.