What happens if there is an emergency and you cannot return to your home, but must immediately evacuate or report to a shelter? Your carefully prepared emergency kit will be at home and you will be wishing that you had access to it. This is the reason that I suggest that children have a small emergency kit that they take to school with them. I also recommend an emergency kit in each of your vehicles and a small kit that you keep in your desk at the office. If you plan carefully and combine these together you may have enough to help your family over the rough spots.
The small personal kits, which you take to the office or send your kids to school, with should include food for twenty-four hours for each individual. You may want to include a comfort object for your children. If your children are young and in daycare you will want to include a change of clothes for them. It will be difficult for your children to take a full day’s of water with them, but you may want to include a bottle of water. It is best if you pack food that will not be easily crushed.
Your car kits would be a little more extensive and could include a change of clothes for each family member. They should also include a small first aid kit. If you are constantly on the run, you may already be storing many items in your car. As a parent of a preschooler, I usually have water or juice boxes in the car, as well as some type of snacks in my bag. If you make sure you always have these supplies on hand it will help a great deal.
While these kits would not be as extensive as your emergency kit, the combined kits may be able to help your family in a time of need. Another tip is to keep a copy of your important documents in a location away from home. A safe deposit box is great place to do this. You should also try to keep your gas tanks fairly full so you can respond quickly to an emergency.