I was sitting at home one evening when it happened: I got that blaring alert on my phone: “Attention: Tornado Warning.”
We had tracked the storm’s activity all day and were aware that the storm probably wasn’t actually in our area, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. This was also a wonderful teaching moment for my two-year-old.
I already told her that we might play a game later where we’d need to sit in the closet for a while. So I turned to her and in a cheery voice announced it was time to play the “special game.” We already have a Go Bag packed, so we grabbed that and headed to the bedroom. Since our house doesn’t have a closed-off hallway, I figured a closet would be best to contain my toddler’s infinite energy. I chose the bedroom closet because it’s the largest and the cleanest with virtually nothing stored on the floor.
We grabbed the comforter, some blankets and pillows off the bed, and settled into our hiding spot. I already had some light-up toys in a bag stored in there. Since my daughter doesn’t have a problem with being in the dark, I decided to keep the light off so we could play with the toys and sing songs.
The Go Bag had some water and a few easy snacks inside. Eventually, she fell asleep and I was surprised by how fast the 30 minutes passed. Most importantly, now we are both more prepared and mentally ready if we in fact have a tornado headed our way in the future.
What to Put in a Tornado Go Bag
If you check out the website Ready, it recommends a basic list of items to have in a disaster supply kit.
Those items include (but are not limited to):
- Water
- Food
- Flashlight
- Extra Batteries
- First Aid Kit
- Cell phone with charging cord
Here is what I included in my toddler’s bag, in addition to the recommended items above:
- Sippy cup
- Apple sauce pouches
- Crackers/Goldfish
- Pull-Ups
- Baby Wipes
- Light up toys
- Stuffed animal
- Blanket
- Books
If you are looking for more information on how to be prepared for a tornado, check out 10 Tips for Keeping Children Safe During a Tornado, which includes tips for parents.
