Is your teen ready to come home at a minute’s notice? Here are some ideas for how to pack an emergency road trip kit for your teen -or yourself!
Guess what? We are living in the day of weird circumstances, and we need to be prepared. Our teens need to be prepared. Is your teen going back to college? What if campus suddenly closes down again? What if there is a family emergency that your teen needs to leave for on a minute’s notice?
Colleges are preparing for the return of students, for whatever that may look like. Is your teen preparing to head back to college? Is your teen headed for the first time?
We need to help our teens to prepare for any type of circumstance so that in the moment of an emergency, they won’t need to think about it. Here are tips for packing an emergency road trip kit. These tips are good for us to remember as well!
Do you have a new driver? Here is a post for that.
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Some things to think about at any time -road trip prep
Help your teen to learn to know where the nearest exit is no matter where they are. Movie theater, mall, restaurant etc. If Covid has taught us anything, it’s that you can take nothing for granted. Our kids and teens need to be able to think on their feet.
When we notice out loud things like seeing where exit signs are, keeping track of directions on the way to a new place or even reminding them that they really shouldn’t open a door to strangers-even now that they are older, we are helping our teens to be more prepared for emergency situations.
I am not saying that we need to become doomsday preppers, but helping our teens to be ready for anything will reduce their stress in the event of an emergency.
Be sure that your teen knows to have their car regularly maintained. Another thing that we have told our teens is to always have at least half a tank of gas these days, just to be sure they can get out of town at the very least.
Here is a GPS tracker for your loved ones in case of an emergency or a stolen car…
“Through readiness and discipline, we are the masters of our fate.” -Bill Paxton
Pack An Emergency Road Trip Kit: A bag to pack in
My husband has prepared a tub for each of us in our cars. It is just big enough for all the things needed in an emergency all in one place! I encourage you to do this for each family member. I included a couple of pics for you to see what I’m talking about. Here is a 4-pack of 5 gallon tubs -I think that is about the size of the one in the picture below. Here is a 2-pack of collapsible tubs of the same size.
This set of 4 mesh bags. These will need to be filled with all of you or your teen’s favorite personal items. When purchasing things for this next school year, whether it will be a dorm room or apartment, go ahead and purchase some travel size items for this bag. Don’t forget a brush, and toothbrush with toothpaste. And, make sure your girls don’t forget some personal hygiene items.
Packing cubes will provide a little bit more room. Maybe use these for a quick change of clothes, dividing by category.
If you would rather purchase a kit that is already prepared, here are some really great ones!
Pack An Emergency Road Trip Kit: General supplies
Car phone charger -Be sure to remind your teen to always keep their phone charged.
Flashlight, and they need to be sure to regularly change out the batteries!
First aid kit to leave in the car!
Duct tape is always a great thing to have around. You never know when it might come in handy.
Here is a handy road distress kit to throw into the trunk -just in case!
Pack An Emergency Road Trip Kit: Medications and/or medical supplies
Please remind your student to keep their meds locked up in some sort of a locked bag for transporting meds. We found out the hard way that this type of theft is very common on college campuses. Here are some safes to choose from once your student is on campus.
Remember to remind your teen to have a few over-the-counter drug items in their car as well, such as Advil for a headache that will come with stress.
Here is a pack that is already prepared for you! All the details already thought out for you!
Weekly medicine organizer which can be used all the time anyway.
Here is a pouch for all kinds of medicine.
Pack An Emergency Road Trip Kit: Cleanliness items
Wet wipes are a great idea at any time. Here is a recipe for making your own.
Soap sheets are great if your teen needs to stop and there is no soap available!
Spray disinfectant for quick cleaning after visiting a gas station or wherever.
Pack An Emergency Road Trip Kit: Health defense supplies
Face masks -Sign of the times we live in, but having a pack of these in the car is something we all ought to have, especially if traveling.
Disposable gloves -Another item to have in your car for pumping gas, exchanging money or even going in to use a restroom on a road trip.
Anti Touch, No-Touch Door Opener -This thing is a stylus, hands-free button-pusher, cool little gadget! We should all be carrying this in our wallets. This is one of the most multifunctional tools that I have seen.
Pack An Emergency Road Trip Kit: Food for the road
Have a few snacks on hand, just in case. Even just one or two in one of the above bags is a great head start for a quick trip.
Trail or nut mixes are great for travel.
Smash foods, these are yummy.
Pack An Emergency Road Trip Kit: Money or gift cards
This is super important. They should put some cash in small bills, 20s or less in their safe to grab on the run. Also, if they have a credit card, they need to be sure to have that with their driver’s license. Having a few gift cards would be great if they need to stop for food or gas anywhere!
The Amazon Rewards card is great because you win when they spend. Having a credit card will be peace of mind for you if they do end up on the road. Our oldest got his first credit card his junior year of college. I think that this depends on the teen and their responsibility level.
Fast food gift cards are a great idea!
Pack An Emergency Road Trip Kit: Winter emergencies
Remind your teens that even if they don’t wear a coat, they should have one in the car for a road trip in case something happens. Same with boots and possibly a heavy sweater, especially if they are going to be traveling through cold weather states.
In cold weather, they should keep at least half a tank of gas at all times. Before a longer trip, your teen should have their car serviced or at least have a trip check. Remind them a couple of weeks before a trip to make an appointment to get their car taken care of by a mechanic. *Note: If the car is electric, be sure to plot out charging stations before the trip!
Jumper cables -These are actually good at any time, but for sure in the cold weather. *I set a reminder twice a year to charge this. I just recently reminded my boys to bring theirs in to charge before cold weather arrives!
Ice scraper -Just put this under the seat until cold weather hits. I like this one a lot!
Kitty litter because if you or your teen gets stuck then this can be poured down for traction. Road salt or sand will work as well.
And, here are traction pads if the wheels are spinning. There are less expensive versions, but I’m just not sure they would last!
Reflective triangles -Again, these are good to have at any time, but especially if something happens on the road.
Emergency blanket or a heavy travel blanket for the road to keep warm, just in case.
Snow shovel -I like this one, it’s a 3-in-1. it’s collapsible and has a couple of attachments.
Pack An Emergency Road Trip Kit: Final thoughts
As I was researching this idea, it made me feel a little unsettled. But, I wanted you to think about what you or your teen may need in certain circumstances.
Being prepared is never a bad thing. This preparation will take some of the extra stress away if something were to happen when you or a loved one is in the middle of a situation.
I hope that this emergency road trip kit is not necessary, but I hope that you make one for your teen as they head back to school! And, make one for yourself and each of your loved ones!
Related posts to Pack An Emergency Road Trip Kit
The Best Gifts for a New Driver!
What Your Freshman Will Definitely Need in Their Dorm Room
15 Ways to Keep Your Child Safe at College
What You Need to Know When Your Teen Turns 18
Is Your Teen Headed Back to College? Tips for Success
15 Ways Parents Can Help a Stressed Out Teen
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