It’s time to prepare to go back to school. It is customary to purchase the necessary items like pencils, paper, the best tasting paste, pens, etc., but this year the American Red Cross is encouraging parents to include an emergency preparedness kit.

This kit would not be one a child would need to tote to and from school, but it would be one that would be easy to grab-and-go should the need arise.

These items are the basics the American Red Cross recommends should a family need to evacuate:

• Water-one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Food-non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• Multipurpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area

More on the American Red Cross’ “Golden Rule for Back to School”.

Learn more about making your own emergency preparedness kit.