As a parent, you’ll want to instinctively bring everything you can to support your son/daughter in case of an emergency. This short list will let you pack light, and still have peace of mind.
- Epipen. Sounds like a no-brainer, but equally important, check the expiration date every month to make sure you aren’t carrying around less-than-ideal meds. You’ll also want to bring two since one dose might not always be enough.
- Benadryl. Be sure to pack the age-appropriate (infant/kids/adult) version and the delivery mechanism (syringe/cup). Same rule as above, make sure you have enough for multiple doses and that it’s not expired. There’s also chewable children’s Benadryl for 4 years and older.
- Inhaler. Not all children with food allergies suffer from asthma, but chances are, you’ll need to carry an albuterol inhaler along with the spacer and mask. Pro-tip: You might be able to fit the inhaler inside the spacer!
- Restaurant cards. Should you choose to dine out, make it easy to communicate with the waitstaff and chef of your favorite restaurants by taking along pre-filled cards that indicate the your child’s food allergies.
- The pack itself. Sure you can cram these all in your purse or backpack, but having a dedicated grab bag filled with the essentials will make outbound trips easy and less stressful. Pro-tip: If you’re planning on being outdoors in the heat for long periods of time, consider packing a small ice pack in the kit to prevent your medicine from going bad.