Emergency Medical Kit Checklist: Children

How to make an emergency medical kit

An emergency kit has everything you and your family may need during an emergency. For families who have children and youth with special healthcare needs (CYSHCN), having an emergency kit is essential. This checklist includes reminders and tips for making an emergency medical kit.

If you need a general emergency kit, CDC has a separate checklist for children and families.

Get everything you need

Each family's kit will be different, depending on the individual needs of their child. Collect everything you need before an emergency, store it in a container, and keep it in a safe place where it is easy to find.

Consider getting any medicines your child will need during an emergency before you put your kit together. Here are some tips:

• Talk with your child's doctor about how to get an emergency supply of medicines.
  
• If your child gets their medicine from a clinic or hospital, talk with the staff about how to plan for being without medicine during a disaster.
• Ask your pharmacist how long each medicine can last and how the medicines need to be stored.

Make it a fun activity

Making an emergency kit can be fun for the family to do together. Here's how to have a family emergency kit treasure hunt:

1. Find a large plastic bin or box to put things into.
2. Use the sections in this list to guide your treasure hunt.
3. Check items off the list as you put them into your emergency kit box.
4. Put an updated copy of your checklist inside your box. That way, you will know where to find the list. The checklist is also a good reminder of what your family put inside the kit.

Make sure your kit is always ready to go

• Make separate emergency kits for your home, work, and your car. You never know where you'll be when an emergency happens.
• Keep canned or packaged food in a cool, dry place. Check the expiration dates at least twice each year.
• Store boxed food in tightly-closed plastic or metal containers.
• Replace the water supply every six months.
• Review your needs every year and update your kit as your family's needs change.
• Update medical and personal records at least once a year.
• Ask your child’s doctor how much medicine to keep in your kit.
  
• If you can't contact your doctor or pharmacy in a disaster, ask for help from emergency responders or staff at emergency shelters or service centers.

General and medical supplies

• Identification for your child to carry in case your family members get separated.
• Non-electrical mobility aids, such as a manual wheelchair or walking aids.
• A 3-day supply of special dietary foods and supplies.
• An extra medical alert bracelet or necklace for your child.
• Items or toys that calm or entertain your child.
  

Medical information

• A current copy of your child's care plan.
• Current medical information and records, including:
  • An electronic copy you can access offline on a USB drive or phone app.
  • A paper copy in a waterproof bag.
• A copy of your child's prescription information to keep in your wallet and car.
  • Include the name, location, and phone number of an out-of-town pharmacy in case your regular pharmacy is closed.

Backup power for electronics

• An AC adapter for your car to charge small electrical or medical equipment, like a nebulizer.
• Battery-powered versions of medical equipment your child uses.
• Extra batteries for medical equipment, hearing aids, and communication devices.
• Back up charger(s) for cell phones. This can include:
  • A hand-cranked USB cell phone emergency charger.
  • A solar charger.
  • A battery pack.
  • Weather radios with a built-in hand crank charger.
• Backup chargers for a laptop or tablet. This can include
  • A 12-volt USB adapter that plugs into a car
  • An inverter
  • A battery jump pack with a USB port.
    
• A generator for backup power support.
  • Note: Never use a generator indoors. Generators can give off deadly gases.
    

Extra prescription medicines and medical care items

• A two-week supply of all prescription medicines your child will need. Check with your child's doctor to determine how much of each medicine to keep in your kit.
  
• A two-week supply of medical care items, such as needles, nasal cannulas, bandages, etc.
• A cooler and chemical ice packs for storing and keeping medicines cold.