There are a few reasons why you might need to leave your home in a hurry. Anyone with children, especially infants and toddlers, knows that it is nearly impossible to leave in a hurry unless you have prepared sufficiently ahead of time. For cases such as these, it could be very helpful to have a bag set aside already loaded with what you need and easy to grab and take with you at a moment’s notice.
Imagine what would happen if there was an emergency in your extended family and you needed to pack up the kids and leave as quickly as possible to go help someone in need or get to the hospital. It would save you some time, worry, and frustration if you didn’t have to search through the house to restock your diaper bag.
The in-a-hurry kit is similar to your diaper bag, because in it you will carry many of the same things that you carry in your diaper bag. The difference is that the contents in this bag do not get used regularly and the bag doesn’t get taken with you unless you really need it. Personally, every time I go somewhere I have to check through the diaper bag to see what is left there and think through what I might need while we are out. I really never know what is in my diaper bag and certainly can?t count on it to be stocked with everything I need. If there is an emergency, I do not want to have to fret over what I need to take with me for my kids. For these situations I have a separate bag stored with anything I might need to be away from my house for a day or two.
Here are some items you may want to keep in your in-a-hurry bag:
Diapers and plenty of wipes (for changing diapers and for cleaning hands, faces)
Formula and bottle or ready-to-drink bottles of formula and nipples
Jars of baby food and disposable spoons
Bibs (fabric or disposable)
Extra outfits
Toys, books, or other activities
Bottled water
Nonperishable snacks like fruit snacks, granola bars, beef jerky, crackers
Cash (In case you run out of the house without your wallet, you should have $20 or more in cash in this bag for food or other necessities. You may want even more for a hotel if you are still out of your house at bedtime.)
Store this bag in a location easy to grab that is close to the front door. This kids? care kit could be part of a 72-hour kit, or a separate bag altogether if you do not have a 72-hour kit.
Related articles:
Preparing Your Child for an Emergency
Hurricanes: Planning for Evacuation