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If you have (or know) a teen heading off to college, or maybe just living on their own for the first time, this post is for you. It’s not going to stop the tears from falling as you drop them off, but if you drop them off with these 5 preparedness items for college, it’ll alleviate at least a couple fears.
These 5 items were top priority for me as I started to consider what my oldest would need when she moved out. And bonus, most of them are very budget-friendly.
I don’t know if you’ve been in a dorm room or college apartment recently, but let me tell ya – a surge protector is an essential. Not only are the college kids trying to share a limited number of outlets, but dorms are often not in tip top shape (if ya know what I mean). This is a simple way to provide more outlet space, but also help keep pricey tech equipment from electrical disasters.
A hidden cash envelope is always a good idea. And my rule of thumb is that I want my kiddos to have enough cash that they could make their way back to me in an emergency situation. So whether they need to take public transport, help pay for gas with a friend, or grab an Uber – make sure it’s enough to get them home!
Chances are, your college kid is interested in mainly having fun and experiencing life without your rules. They won’t necessarily be thinking about what to do if there is an emergency. So help them take the guesswork out of it! Give them a copy of YOUR family emergency plan so they know how to stay safe and where to reach you/meet you.
If you don’t already have a family emergency plan, click here to grab the printables.
I’ve been mentioning car kits a lot recently, but that’s for good reason. There is a shocking number of people who do not have one in their car! You do not want your college kid stranded with a dead battery when you’re hours (or sometimes days) away. Worry for you, worry for them. Any basic roadside emergency kit will do, just make sure it has the essentials – like jumper cables.
Okay, does a Berkey have to be your clean, safe water option? Of course not. But it is definitely my favorite option. You just get so much bang for your buck and it’s an investment your college kid can keep for a long long time. Plus, they’ll have enough safe water to share with their roommates in any number of emergency situations.
And let’s be real – water fountain water is SO gross! I know this one is a bit pricey, but I look at this as an investment. Good-tasting water in a college dorm, much more convenient than having to go to the cafeteria to refill a water bottle, and also doubles as an emergency water filter.
Click here to check out the different options from Berkey (affiliate link). And don’t forget to use the code PLANFORAWESOME to get an additional 10% off!
Maybe it’s just the stage of life I’m in: one kid off to college and another finishing up high school, but I’m thinking a lot about preparedness outside of my own home lately.
This simple 5-item checklist will help you feel better about sending them off and your college kid will have what they need if something happens while they’re beginning life without you.
There will always be things we don’t think about before we encounter an emergency. But, I’m here to help you think about some of the non-food storage items you might want to keep on hand for the next rainy day.
Why you should schedule an emergency preparedness weekend every 6 months, and what you should be doing, reviewing, rotating, and maintaining. Free printable checklist!
Berkey water filters are THE BEST water filters, not only for emergencies, but for everyday use. They are so good, they are classified as a water purifier, which is a step up from a filter!
