Buzz
Emergencies can occur at any moment, and the only thing worse than the situation itself is realizing you're not prepared. By putting together an emergency kit, you'll always be ready for the unexpected, whether it's at school, work, a sports event, a party, a friend's house, a date, or a dinner gathering. Whether you suddenly need period supplies, a little extra cash, a spare button, a mended shirt, or just a breath mint, your emergency kit can truly save the day.
Steps
Assembling a Kit for Everyday Emergencies
Choose a bag for your emergency essentials. Pick a bag that's spacious enough to store all your supplies and preferably one with straps or handles for easy carrying. Since you'll likely be taking this kit with you everywhere, it should be both comfortable to carry and match your style. A bag with compartments or pockets is also useful for better organization of your kit.
- A small backpack, large makeup case, purse, or tote bag would all be ideal options for your emergency kit.
Keep emergency cash handy. No matter where you are, who you're with, or what you're doing, it's essential to always carry at least $10 to $20 in emergency funds, along with some loose change. In addition to the cash in your wallet, stash extra emergency money in your kit, ideally in a hidden or secure zippered pocket.
- Change can come in handy for a payphone if your phone dies, for buying a snack from a vending machine, or for purchasing a pad or tampon from a restroom dispenser.
- Even a small amount like $10 can be enough to help you out of a tight spot, whether you need a meal, a cab, or something else.
Create a list of your medications and allergies. Write down all the medications you take daily and note any known allergies. This is crucial in case of a medical emergency when healthcare professionals may need this information. Keep a copy of the list in your emergency kit, and remember to update it when necessary.
Pack any medications you might need during the day. Keep your daily medications together in a separate case or compartment. Don’t forget any occasional meds you may need in case of an emergency, including:
- Epinephrine injectors.
- Emergency inhalers.
- Antihistamines.
- Insulin shots.
- Eye drops.
Include emergency period supplies. Make sure you have enough products to last you for at least a few hours of protection. Pack whatever you prefer, such as pads, tampons, liners, or a menstrual cup. You might also want to bring an extra pair of underwear.
- These items are equally important even if your period hasn't started yet. That way, you'll be prepared in case it arrives when you're not at home.
Building a Ready-for-Anything Emergency Kit
Choose a larger bag for bigger emergencies. For larger-scale emergencies or disasters, you'll need a more spacious bag compared to your everyday kit. This type of bag can be stored in your locker or kept in your closet, ready for when you need it. You may even want to keep two or three bags—one at school, one at home, and maybe one in your car.
- Be sure to include emergency cash in your ready-for-anything kit, just like you did in your everyday kit.
Use smaller cases to keep your kit organized. While your emergency bag might have some compartments, it's still important to organize the contents to make things easier to locate in a hurry. The last thing you want in an emergency is to waste time searching for something! Small makeup bags are great for keeping your items organized.
- Try color coding the cases to identify their contents—like using a red case for medical supplies to connect with the Red Cross.
- Pick cases with zippers to keep everything neat, secure, and separated.
- You'll likely need between four and seven smaller cases, depending on how detailed you want your organization. A hard-shell case for sewing items is also a smart addition.
Pack water and snacks in your kit. Whether you're feeling a bit sluggish in the afternoon or forgot breakfast, having a water bottle and a non-perishable snack in your emergency kit is a lifesaver. A good snack option could be a granola bar, dried fruit bar, crackers, or a small bag of nuts—anything that has a long shelf life and can last for months.
Bring spare eyewear and eye care supplies. If you wear glasses, it's always smart to have a backup pair in your kit in case your main pair gets lost or damaged. The same goes for contact lens wearers—make sure to pack a spare case and extra solution.
Assemble a mini first-aid kit. This compact kit should be packed with supplies to handle cuts, scrapes, headaches, cramps, and minor pain. Keep all first-aid items together in one small case. Your first-aid essentials might include:
- Tweezers for splinter removal.
- Adhesive bandages for small injuries.
- Hand sanitizer and antiseptic wipes for cleaning wounds.
- Throat lozenges and cough drops.
- A travel-sized bottle of pain relievers (keep these with your medications or in the first-aid kit).
- Tissues for wiping, cleaning, or blowing your nose.
Pack a spare change of clothes. It's always smart to carry an extra set of clothes with you, just in case of spills, unexpected rain, surprise periods, or wardrobe malfunctions. You don’t need to pack your best outfit, but one day you'll be grateful to have a backup T-shirt on hand. Be sure to include:
- Underwear stored in a re-sealable plastic bag (to hold the used pair).
- A bra or sports bra.
- Socks.
- A T-shirt, tank top, or blouse.
- Extra pants or shorts.
Pack a travel toiletries case. Drugstores offer a variety of travel-sized toiletries that can be used to stock your emergency kit, including deodorant, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, soap, and gum or mints. These essentials will help you freshen up between activities, and in an emergency, maintaining cleanliness can also help prevent infections and disease.
Prepare a mini cosmetics kit. You don’t need to pack your full beauty collection, but a few emergency essentials for a last-minute date, job interview, or beauty mishap will come in handy. Include items like bobby pins, a comb, hair ties, hand cream or body lotion, lip balm, a small mirror, and some key makeup products. What you include depends on your personal preference, but your emergency makeup might consist of:
- Foundation and a compact.
- Mascara or eyeliner.
- Lipstick, gloss, or lip liner.
- Blush or eyeshadow.
Assemble a travel sewing kit. This kit is perfect for when you lose a button, tear a seam, break a strap, or face any other clothing issue. A basic sewing kit should include pins, safety pins, a sewing needle, black and white thread, a few generic buttons, double-sided tape (for quick fixes), and mini or collapsible scissors. You can also add a small stain remover for cleaning up spills and stains.
- Store these items in a hard-shell case to keep your pins and scissors safely contained.
Include a travel writing kit. You never know when you might need a pen and paper to leave a quick note or jot down a brilliant idea. Keep a small pad of paper, a pen, and a pencil (since ink can dry out, a pencil is always a backup). Also, throw in a few paper clips—they can serve multiple purposes, like a:
- Emergency hair clip.
- Bra strap holder.
- Replacement zipper pull.
Find a backup phone charger. Your mobile phone is crucial in emergencies, but it’s only useful if it’s charged. A spare charger in your emergency kit is a smart investment, ensuring that you can stay connected when you need it most.
- Check with friends or family for any old chargers that might be compatible with your phone and could be kept in your kit.
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Ensure that carrying medications and other supplies complies with your school’s policies.
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As the seasons shift, so should your supplies. For instance, during the summer, consider including sunscreen, while in winter, extra warm clothing might be necessary.
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Remember to replace or replenish items like food or money that you’ve used, ensuring they’re available the next time an emergency arises.
