7 Must-Have Items to Carry in Your School Emergency Kit

Whether you’re in middle school, high school, or even in college, things happen and sometimes they’re unexpected. Keeping an emergency kit in your backpack or purse can be beneficial to you on those days when accidents happen, and you can’t go home. It could help not only you, but any friend or classmate who’s had an emergency and needs something from your kit. You never know what could happen at school, but in the event that something does transpire, here are 7 must-have items to carry in your school emergency kit: 

Deodorant

It may be a very hot day or after gym class and you may need to freshen up a bit. Carrying deodorant can be very helpful when you still have other classes to go to and you know you can’t go back home to shower yet. 

If you don’t want to bring a full-size deodorant, there are many stores that sell travel-size deodorant that are small and can fit in discrete places if you don’t want to make it obvious. 

Cash

Although everyone uses cards now, you never know when you’ll be in a situation where you can only use cash, or you don’t have your card. 

Cash can especially come in handy at school when you’re hungry and need a snack from the vending machine. Even though some vending machines now have card readers, they aren’t always guaranteed to work. 

Breath Mints/Gum

You never know who you may talk to throughout the day while you’re in school. You may talk to friends, or even a crush and feel like you have to freshen your breath up a bit. 

Some schools/teachers don’t allow gum, if that’s the case then breath mints work just as well and ensure your breath is fresh for whoever you’re talking to. 

Baby Wipes

Baby wipes are great when you also want to freshen up and don’t have time to shower after gym class or on a hot day. Wipes can also be used for almost anything. If you’re out of toilet paper you can use wipes (just don’t flush them) or if you need to wipe your makeup off, you can use wipes. 

You can also find baby wipes in travel-size so that you won’t have to carry around a full pack. 

Cell Phone Charger

You never know what could happen, your phone may go dead, and you possibly may need to get in contact with someone. 

It’s important to always keep your phone charged, especially at school. You or even a friend may need to charge a cell phone for something important so keeping a charger in your emergency kit is definitely vital!

Portable chargers also come in handy when there is no outlet available for you to use a plug-in charger. Always make sure your portable charger is charged before leaving the house so that you can charge your phone whenever you may need to. 

Hair Products 

Hair ties are important to keep in your kit because you never know when you or someone else may need it. You could be having a bad hair day, or you want to tie it up just because it’s in your way. No matter the circumstances, hair ties are usually always the go-to when someone needs to do something with their hair at school.

Keeping a small comb or brush can also help when you need a quick touch-up. Throughout the day, no one's hair stays perfect, so a little comb or brush can help with any tangles or frizz that may happen while at school. 

Sanitary Products 

Periods can sometimes happen unexpectedly so you should always keep items that you are comfortable and familiar with you during school. 

You may not only help yourself, but you also may be able to help a friend or classmate who needs a pad or tampon because they don’t have one. 

Sometimes the school day can feel like forever, and emergencies can happen anytime. Keeping each of these items in your school emergency kit will ensure that you are prepared for pretty much anything hygiene wise. You never know what could happen, or where you may end up, so it is important to consider making a kit and carrying it in your backpack or purse. Your kit ensures that you have everything you can possibly need to still feel comfortable at school even if something does happen. Disposable masks, hand sanitizer, condoms, stain remover pens, and many more items are things that you could put in your emergency kit if you are unsure about what products to get besides the ones listed. You can always alter some items that you think could benefit you personally, and an emergency kit can also make a great gift for loved ones. 

Emani Brooks is a senior at Suitland High School in Maryland. She currently is the President of the Suitland National Honor Society Chapter for the class of 2022. Emani plans to study Business Administration upon graduating high school and hopes to pursue a career in social media management.