Emergency Kits for Schools

School emergency kits prepare teachers for disasters.

Schools need to be prepared for disaster. Natural and human-made disasters could strand students, teachers and administrators in the school for days. An emergency kit tucked into the cupboard in every classroom helps keep teachers and students safe and comfortable in case of a lockdown.

Nourishment

Three days of food supplies are recommended for every person. Keep nonperishable, high calorie food items in the emergency kit. Energy bars are good. Include clean water in the emergency kit. Water supply could be cut off during a disaster.

Contact Information

Keep a copy of every student's contact information in the kit. If there is phone service, you can contact families to let them know the situation. Put a sheet detailing the school's crisis plan for disasters and contact information for local police and fire departments. Include a grease pencil to write on walls or make a sign to signal for help.

Sanitation

Cleanliness is important while your school is in lockdown. Store disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, and paper towel or tissues in each school emergency kit. Include several containers of moist towelettes for students and teachers to clean their hands and bodies. Water service could be shut off or you may not have access to the bathrooms; include a bucket or plastic bags for waste disposal.

First Aid

A first aid kit is necessary to treat any injury. Include bandages, both the adhesive strips and roll gauze types, bandage tape and an antiseptic to clean wounds.

Miscellaneous

Power could be off for days. Add flashlights and batteries, or flashlights powered by a hand crank, to the emergency kit. Candles and matches kept in a waterproof container also could come in handy during a lockdown. A battery operated radio and batteries keeps you informed of the situation from the outside. Include several blankets to keep warm. Wool is warm, lightweight and stores easily. A whistle attached to a lanyard can be used to keep order in the classroom or alert outsiders of your location. Add rope to the kit; it takes up little room and can be used to tie down furniture or lower a person from a window. A crow bar could be handy for prying open windows and doors. If you don't have a fire extinguisher in your classroom, add one to your emergency kit. Put all items in one or more waterproof tubs or bags and keep them in your classroom.

Resources

• Preparedness: Design Your Own School Emergency Kits and Supplies
• American Family Safety: Classroom Lockdown Kit