July 15, 2025

Creating a School Safe Emergency Kit

The tornado sirens started blaring during lunch. The teachers rushed everyone into the interior hallway, away from windows, just like they practiced with regular drills. They crouched against the wall with their hands over their heads as the building shook, walls swayed, debris fell, and the lights flickered out.

After the storm passed, everything was different. Luckily, no one was seriously hurt but the power was completely out, cell towers were down, and through the small interior windows they could see debris and trees blocking the parking lot. The teachers kept everyone calm, but Emma could sense they were worried, as they had no way to reach parents.

Hours passed with no power and no way for parents to get to the school. The hallways were getting cold and dark. Emma quietly shared her space blanket with some kids who were scared and shivering. Her small LED flashlight became precious when teachers needed to check on someone.

A few kids had gotten small cuts from the falling debris. Emma's first aid supplies helped cover a few cuts. The cafeteria couldn't serve anything without power and her granola bars from her kit helped some of the younger kids stay a bit more calm.

Most importantly, Emma helped keep some kids distracted with quiet games and stories while they waited. Her bright pink bandana became a blindfold for a guessing game that kept the younger ones from getting too scared.

Nearly eight hours later, when other parents and her dad finally made it through the blocked roads, Emma was so proud to tell her dad how she helped take care of her classmates.

Nobody wants to think about emergencies happening at school, but being prepared gives you peace of mind. The good news? You can put together a basic emergency kit that fits right in your child's backpack without adding much weight or space.

What Schools Can and Can't Do

Here's something most parents don't know: once a major disaster hits, schools have limited resources and staff. Teachers and administrators have their own families to worry about and may need to leave once it's safe to do so.

In extended emergencies, schools often have policies requiring them to release kids to walk home after a certain time period. After the immediate danger passes, many schools will release children to walk home if parents can't be reached and staff need to leave. This isn't because they don't care, it's because they're not equipped to provide meals, medical care, or overnight supervision, particularly with no power. It might be good to ask your school what their emergency procedures and policies are.

Regardless, your child needs to know how to get home or to a safe place, and why having basic supplies matters so much. The school will do everything they can in the first few hours, but after that, your child might be on their own.

Make sure your child knows:

When it's safe to leave school
The safest route home
To stay put if conditions are still dangerous
Who they can trust for help along the way

This isn't meant to be scary. The more prepared your child is to handle things independently, the safer they'll be.

What to Include in a Backpack kit?

Most schools don't have lockers anymore, so kids carry everything in their backpacks and typically carry a water bottle around with them. This makes it easier to keep some emergency supplies with them. The goal isn't to prepare for wilderness survival, it's to help your child stay safe and get home if something unexpected happens.

School Rules to Consider

Most schools are fine with basic first aid supplies and emergency items. Skip anything that looks like a weapon. If you're unsure about something, just ask the school office.

Think of this like a basic first aid kit, but with a few extra items.

Medical

· Band-aids (different sizes)

· Small gauze pads and medical tape

· Antibiotic cream packets

· Any prescription medicine your child needs daily

· Small bottle of hand sanitizer

Safety

· Small flashlight with extra batteries (check regularly to ensure in good shape)

· House key- or alternatively known hidden location

· Written list of family phone numbers

· Simple map showing the route from school to home (if needed)

· Whistle

· Family safe word (written down) in the event someone other than family tries to pick up your child.

Basic Comfort

· Granola bars or energy bars (pick ones your kid likes but won't sneak-eat)

· Space blanket (those shiny emergency blankets are tiny but actually work)

· Small rain poncho

Extras That Don't Take Much Room

· BRIGHT color Bandana (sling, dust mask, signal, rag, for example)

· Small piece of rope or paracord- a paracord bracelet can contain whistle and rope in one. (school friendly)

· Tissues

· Lip balm with sunscreen

Putting It Together

A ziplock bag works fine for storage or small pencil case. The whole kit should be about the size of a paperback book and weigh less than a water bottle.

More importantly, go through everything with your child. Show them what each item does and when they might use it. Practice the route home. Make sure they know who to call, in case for whatever reason you don’t answer.

The Real Key

Teaching your kids to think clearly in emergencies matters more than any gear. Help them understand the following:

· Stay calm and look for help from teachers or other adults first

· Know multiple ways to get home

· Trust their instincts about unsafe situations

· Basic problem-solving skills

The best emergency kit is one your child knows how to use and has with them when needed.

Start with the must-haves and add other items as space allows. Check the kit every few months to replace expired items and make sure everything still works, especially those flashlight batteries.

Remember: the goal is helping your child get home safely, not surviving the apocalypse. Keep it simple, keep it practical, and most importantly, make sure your child knows what's in there and how to use it.

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