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KIT / 02 FAMILY WITH KIDS

Family kit

Children change the plan. Babies need safe feeding and warmth, toddlers need comfort and routine, and everyone needs to know what to do. This kit covers the things parents run short of first, using guidance from CDC and Ready.gov.

UNDER 1Infants under one year old should never sleep in a cold room (CDC)
48 HRSA full, closed freezer holds its temperature, so frozen breast milk lasts longer if the door stays shut (CDC)
1 GALLONOf water per person per day for several days (Ready.gov)

Common gaps

  • Powdered formula but no safe water to mix it, and no ready-to-feed backup.
  • A cold bedroom for a baby, and no plan for staying warm.
  • Children's medicines that are empty or expired when the power goes out.
  • No light the kids are comfortable with, so someone reaches for a candle.
  • No plan the children can say back to you.

Babies

Feeding. CDC says breastfeeding is the safest way to feed a baby during an emergency. If you formula feed:

  • Keep ready-to-feed infant formula in single-serving cans or bottles in your supplies. It needs no water, no refrigeration when unopened, and it is the safest formula option in an emergency.
  • If you have only powdered formula, use bottled water, or water that boiling or disinfection has made safe, and clean bottles and nipples with safe water. When safe water is short, use disposable feeding items and cups.
  • Without a working refrigerator, make fresh formula for each feeding, and mix only what the baby will drink.

Breast milk. Keep the freezer door closed during an outage. A full freezer keeps food safe for about 48 hours, and about 24 hours if half full. Freeze containers of water and gel packs ahead of time to keep things cold, and keep an appliance thermometer in the freezer.

Warmth. CDC says infants under one year old should never sleep in a cold room, because they lose body heat more easily than adults. Plan which room stays warmest, and read the Heat and cooling page. Do not use a gas stove, oven or grill for heat.

Diapering and care. Ready.gov's kit list includes infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream. Add them to your kit and rotate them.

Children and toddlers

  • Food and water: Several days of food that needs no cooking, plus water. Ready.gov suggests one gallon per person per day.
  • Medicines: Keep children's prescriptions and everyday medicines filled and in date, with dosing information on paper. Ask your pharmacist about refills before storm season, and about medicines that must stay cold.
  • Comfort: A favorite blanket or toy, and non-electronic activities such as books and board games. A normal bedtime routine helps.
  • Light: Give each child a safe battery light, so no one reaches for a candle. Keep a headlamp for the adult.
  • Warm clothes: Layers, hats, socks, and a dry change for each child.

Pets

Ready.gov's kit guidance includes pet food and extra water for your pet, and local guidance suggests about a gallon per pet per day. Add medicines, a leash or carrier, and a recent photo.

A plan the kids can follow

  • Use the free Ready.gov family communication plan. Fill in meeting places, an out-of-town contact and emergency numbers, and put a copy in each bag.
  • Teach children to text, because texts often get through when calls do not.
  • Review the plan together on every Base Check Saturday: where to meet, who to call, and what to do if the power goes out at night.
  • Make sure older children know how to use the flashlight and where the kit is.

Safety

  • Install battery-powered carbon monoxide alarms near bedrooms and on every level. Test them before cold weather.
  • Generators run outside only, at least 20 feet from the house.
  • Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, and never leave children alone near one.
  • If someone in the home uses powered medical equipment, read our guide on medical devices in an outage.

The layers

Layer What to get Why it suits a family
Light A headlamp for each adult and a lantern for the room No flame near children
Phone power A charged power bank Alerts, a light for the kids, and family calls
Small-load power A portable power station Runs a router, a night light or a fan quietly and safely
Water Several days stored, plus safe water for formula Formula and cleaning need safe water
Food No-cook meals, ready-to-feed formula if needed, and a cooler No cooking, no refrigeration needed
Safety Carbon monoxide and smoke alarms with battery backup Children sleep in the rooms most at risk

Picks

Each pick links to its card on the Gear page. No prices.

Pick Base Why it fits
First Alert CO710 Heat and cooling Sealed battery rated up to 10 years, 85 dB, listed to UL 2034 per the maker's manual
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Power 245 Wh and 300 W. Keeps a router and lights going. It will not run a space heater
INIU P41 power bank Communication Phones stay charged for alerts and calls
Energizer PRO-260 headlamp Light Hands-free light for night feedings and checks
Goal Zero Lighthouse Micro Flash Light A small lantern for a table. Confirm it is still sold on Amazon
Sawyer Squeeze Water Removes bacteria and protozoa. It does not remove viruses, so it is not a replacement for safe bottled water for formula

Family checklist

  • Ready-to-feed formula in single-serving containers, if my baby uses formula.
  • Bottled water and a way to clean feeding items.
  • The warmest room is chosen, and the baby has a safe sleep plan for the cold.
  • Children's medicines are filled and in date.
  • Each child has a battery light.
  • Our family plan is written, with a copy in every bag.
  • Carbon monoxide alarms are near the bedrooms.
  • I have pet food, water and medicines.

Sources

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