The 10 Things Every Parent Should Have in Case of Emergency

Whether your child has a fever, aches, and pains, an allergic reaction, or a nasty cough, you should always be sure to have the proper medication on hand. Some medicine is a bit too strong for your average little guy, though, so if you have younger children, be sure to stock up on the appropriate formulation for kids. Most commonly used medicines will have a child-sized counterpart if necessary — like Children’s Benadryl or Tylenol.

Even though a lot of stuff is done electronically these days, some of your family’s most important information is on paper. Passports, birth certificates, driver’s license, and Social Security cards should all be photo-copied and stored in a portable, waterproof container like this IRIS Weathertight file box. Make sure you’re keeping the originals somewhere safe, too!

No matter what the emergency may be, every parent is going to want to have a fully charged phone (or iPad, if the kids need to be distracted). You can plug a power bank in overnight and use it to charge up your device when you don’t have access to an electrical outlet. The LAX Gadgets ultra compact portable power bank allows you to quickly charge two devices quickly at the same time.

Ever used athletic tape to keep gauze on a bloody thumb? If so, then you should probably make sure you have a well-stocked first-aid kit at all times. Luckily, it’s easy to make sure you’re getting all the essentials. The Easy Care comprehensive medical kit includes bandages, burn relief, and instructions for performing CPR, all in an easy-to-store case.

The last thing you want in an emergency is to be stuck in the dark. Keep extra flashlights around the house and make sure you have a viable supply of batteries in stock, as well. This set from Eveready comes with two super-bright flashlights and two D batteries. It’s the perfect addition to every parent’s emergency supplies.

Sun protection isn’t often considered when it comes to emergency preparedness but it should be! A bad sunburn has both immediate and long-lasting effects. It’s always good to have sunscreen on hand … and face, and arms, and shoulders. Sun Bum’s Baby Bum SPF 50 lotion is not only excellent protection from the sun, it is also vegan, mineral-based, and formulated for sensitive skin, so the whole family can feel good about using it.

Even if you’re able to charge up your phones or iPads, you may not want the kids to spend precious battery life on apps or video streaming. Always keep your non-electronic activity supply stocked up in case of emergency. Coloring books, building blocks, or arts and crafts sets — like the Creatify Trolls All-in-One activity case — are perfect diversions.

Unfortunately, some emergency situations could mean that your family won’t have access to their beds. Be prepared, with insulated sleeping bags you can easily carry where you need to go. The Core Equipment 20-degree sleeping bag rolls up neatly and provides a warm night’s sleep if needed.

Every parent should make sure they have mess kits in the case of an emergency (unless they want to lug around their dining sets). In some cases, it may not be possible to eat a meal at home, but that doesn’t mean you need to stress over plates, utensils, or glasses. Mess kits like this Ozark Trail 4-Person Table Set are also great to have for camping trips.

Using a whiteboard to record important contact information (think everything from poison control to the next-door neighbors) is an easy, at-a-glance way to ensure the whole family has access. In the case of an emergency, the last thing you want is to be scrambling through a junk drawer or depending on your phone’s contact list for these critical numbers. Put up a couple whiteboards throughout the house so they’re always within sight.