Back to school season has come back around!
As the kids get ready to go to school again, that means you are planning and preparing for everything their return entails: shopping for school supplies, replacing outgrown clothing, and balancing packed schedules.
This exciting time of year also offers a natural, opportune reminder to review the preparedness routines your family has put into place before the everyday itinerary gets too busy!
What is your emergency evacuation plan? When was the last time you took inventory of expired supplies? Do the kids know who to contact in case of an emergency?
Keep reading for tips on auditing your survival supplies and routines before school is in session!
Bolstering Home Base
Before getting caught up in what might happen when the whole gang is spread out among school and afternoon activities, start with where it all begins: at home.
As your crew resumes their usual schedules, set aside some time to make sure they know what to do – and where to go – when disaster strikes.
The Five-Minute Fire Drill
Your emergency evacuation plan is just that – a plan. It needs a little practice before being put to use!
Here are some simple steps to help your family figure it out:
- Choose a place to meet, outdoors and far enough away from the house in case a fire erupts.
- Take the family on a tour around the house, identifying the different ways to escape each room.
- Assign specific roles for the adults, and even older children, like teenagers, in the house. Determine who will be responsible for helping younger children or elderly adults, gathering up pets, and collecting emergency kits.
- Run through the plan verbally. Verify that each person understands what to do and where to meet.
- Put the plan to the test!
Once everybody is out and accounted for, host a brief family pow wow. What went well? What caused confusion? Do any parts of the plan need adjusting after trying it out in real life? Is there anything you should add to your routine, like using fire masks or fire blankets?
A few minutes of practice now could be what saves precious seconds – and lives – later!
Dialing During Disasters
Do the little ones know when — and how — to call 911?
If not, explain to them that calling 911 is for serious emergency situations only. If they don't need help from police officers, firefighters, or paramedics, then that's not the number to call.
In case they ever do need to make that kind of call, walk your kids through what they should know and do. They should know the full names of their parents, guardians, or other trusted adults, as well as their home address.
They also need to know how to explain the nature of an emergency, listen carefully, answer questions, and follow directions — all while speaking with a stranger. (Albeit, a helpful one!)
Youngsters should also learn how to use any special emergency call features on all the smartphones in the house. Practice the process with each phone, as different devices might have different steps. Just be careful not to place an actual call!
An Audit Around the House
As the students in the house start to study, it just makes sense that your preparedness supplies are subject to a little study, too!
A fairly routine and simple place to start is the alarms. Grab your step-stool and test each carbon monoxide alarm and smoke detector, replacing the batteries as needed. Take a look at the date printed on each unit, too; alarm replacement is recommended every ten years!
Next stop: the first aid kit. Sift through it and throw out any expired medications or ointments, as well as any dried adhesives or wipes. Then, take note of anything you need to add!
After that, focus on food. Here are some questions to consider:
- Has any of your emergency food expired?
- Is any of your emergency food near expiration? Can any of it be incorporated into everyday eating to make the most of it?
- Are there any food groups or staples your supply is missing?
- How long can your supply sustain your family in an emergency? What more should you add to align with your goals?
And finally, wrap up with water. Check your water storage containers for leaks, cracks, broken seals, and any other signs of damage. Then, assess the water quality, keeping an eye on any cloudiness, unusual colors or odors, and possible contamination. Be sure to replace this water every six to twelve months!
These quick 'n' easy audits will make sure your supply is in tip-top shape for when the worst-case scenario strikes.
Sending Kids to School with Confidence
When school is back in session, your family will spend some time apart during the week. If an emergency takes place while the kids are in school, will they know what to do?
Although schools are required to outline emergency protocols of their own and practice them throughout the year, it certainly never hurts to go the extra mile for your family!
You can start by creating an emergency contact card for each child. It should include:
- The full name of the child
- Their birth date
- Their approximate height and weight
- Their home address
- The full names of their parents or guardians
- The phone numbers for their parents or guardians
- Another unrelated emergency contact, just in case
- The full names of adults authorized for pickup
- Any allergies or medical conditions
- The contact information for their doctor
Put all of this on a piece of paper –– sealed with a sheet protector or lamination –– each child can keep in their backpack. Avoid simply inputting this information into your kids' phones, if they've got 'em. Phones can die, get lost, and are generally less reliable than paper!
Next, it's time to do your homework! Do a little digging on those emergency protocols the school's got:
- Who is authorized to pick up each child, whether an ordinary day or emergency situation?
- Is identification required for pick up? What kind?
- How will families be notified of an emergency situation?
- In an evacuation, where will students be sent?
- How will students be released for reunification?
- If the school or roads are blocked, how will families get through?
Discuss these details with your school-aged little ones, and remind them to stick next to their teachers and listen to their instructions in an emergency situation –– and to stay put until an approved adult arrives to pick them up.
Preparing College Kids for Crisis
While your older kids might be itching to fly from the nest, the family preparedness plan will follow 'em on their way!
Disaster in the Dorms
Once your college students are settled in, encourage them to sign up for the notification system through their school. This way, they can keep up with what might be happening on other parts of campus.
While they're at it, they should also sign up for local emergency alerts, which will keep them posted on severe weather warnings, emergency evacuations, road closures, and any other hazards in the area.
Young adults living in student apartments, which can get chaotic and crowded, should become familiar with the crisis protocols in their building. Locate the closest sets of stairs and commit any alternate exit routes to memory. Find out where residents are expected to meet after an evacuation, and how to respond to certain threats, like power outages.
And, of course, nudge those college kids to connect with their roommates, a couple of neighbors, and their resident advisor, if they have one. Building this support system will strengthen their emergency response, whether that be a blackout or a forgotten key on Friday night!
Important Papers
As the kids get older, they get to begin learning how to handle their essential documents on their own.
Wherever they run off to, they should always maintain physical and digital copies of these essential documents:
- Birth certificate
- Social security card
- Passport
- Driver's license
- Any other state-issued identification
- Vehicle registration
- Medical records
- Insurance cards
- Emergency contacts
- Tax returns and other financial information
Physical copies of these documents should be stored in a locked, waterproof container –– perhaps even a safe! Digital copies should be secured with password protection and multi-factor authentication.
Trouble on the Road
Whether the journey back home from campus is a long one or that clunker finally falls apart, keeping an emergency kit in the car is crucial for college kids.
A lot of unfortunate mishaps can unravel on the road: mechanical failures, sudden severe weather, a shredded tire, or an accident of some kind. In these instances, a backup plan will certainly come in clutch!
Here are some items to pack into an emergency car kit:
- Jumper cables
- Roadside safety triangles
- An ice scraper and snow brush
- A headlamp or flashlight
- Radio
- A power bank
- A phone charger
- Warm layers and a blanket
- A rain poncho
- Hand warmers
- A first aid kit
- Bottles or pouches of water
- Shelf-stable snacks
- Bungee cords
- A multi-tool
The college experience is largely about learning how to live as an independent adult. Preparing for the unexpected is part of the curriculum!
Ready for Another Year
Whether your youngsters are off to elementary school or they've grown up and gone to college, a little emergency planning goes a long way –– in every phase of life.
Review your plans, refresh your supplies, and send those students off with the confidence to tackle whatever comes their way!
Check in with The Essentials Blog each week for expert education, tips, and resources to make your shift to self-reliance as smooth as possible!
