Families throughout the country are preparing to send their sons and daughters to college – and many of them will be away from home for the first time. Being prepared will help your college student remain safe and calmly deal with emergency situations.

Having a disaster readiness kit is one of the best ways to stay prepared. This can be as simple as a backpack containing items like a flashlight, a small radio, extra batteries, a solar powered or hand-cranked cell phone charger, energy bars, water and first aid supplies. Ready-made kits designed for students can be ordered from the American Red Cross. Advise your student to keep their kit in an easily accessible place, like under the bed or on the top shelf of a closet.

Most colleges have emergency plans and it may be posted on their website. If not, contact the admissions office to get a copy and confirm your child is registered on the emergency notification system.

Also, prepare your family communications plan now so your child will know how to contact you in case communications between home and school are disrupted. Make an emergency information list of names, phone numbers and locations of family members, doctors, medical insurance and other important resources.

Source: FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness e-Brief for Aug 22, 2013