Emergencies do not just happen at home. We spend a large portion of our days at work and being prepared should extend to that location as well. While rare, a hostage situation, fire, or even a natural disaster can happen while you are at the office.
Do you have what you need to care for the injured or get yourself to safety?
Is the office first aid kit stocked with medical equipment, or did the office manager forget to update it? Do you have an emergency light if the power goes out? If there is a fire do you have a way to navigate the building safely without getting hurt or inhaling smoke?
There is a lot to think about when it comes to office preparedness. Below are some ideas for creating an emergency kit that you can leave at the office. If that is not an option – at least leave it in your car and bring it in with you every day!
What to Include in an Office Emergency Kit
This list is meant to help you get started, but feel free to make it your own. These are the basics we highly recommend you keep on hand in the office.
Bottled water
If the water stops running, you will want to have fresh water on hand. Not only to drink, but in case of injuries that need washing. Bottled water or water packets can work. Knowing how to purify water is a skill you should have as well incase your bottled water gets damaged.
Snacks
Always have a small supply of snacks on hand in case power goes down. If there are vending machines, they may stop working so having some protein bars or nuts is a great backup plan. Hard candies and other suckers are also good to have!
Small bills or change
If the emergency is not power related, and you can access vending machines, small bills and quarters may come in handy if hunger becomes and issue. This will help in an emergency where staying in place is a recommendation, like for natural disasters.
Light
If there is no light in the building it could be terrifyingly dark. Especially if you are in a building with limited window light. Keeping a flashlight or headlamp is a great way to ensure you have light when you need. Be sure you store extra batteries as well, or make sure they are always charged if you have a no battery option. A secondary option are glowsticks – they may not be as bright, but are another option if you need it.
Heat
In the event you cannot leave the building and there is no heat, you will want a way to keep warm. Keeping hand and feet warmers on hand are highly recommended. A lighter to start a small fire is also handy, but can have alternate issues, so that should be a last resort. Getting thermal blankets or keeping and extra sweater or coat at the office is another great way to be ready.
Emergency blanket
An emergency blanket can help when it is too cold, raining or to make yourself more visible. This can be used while you are waiting for help or if you are walking through a dark building and need to make yourself visible. Do not get a cheap one though, invest in a better blanket that will last and not tear easily.
First Aid Kit
Your office should have a first aid kit in the breakroom or bathroom of at least every floor if not a few of them. But can you be sure it’s been properly stocked?
Medicines
backup of necessarily medicines that you take on a daily basis. You don’t want to be stuck not having the medicine you typically take once you get home if you end up having to spend the night.
Particle Masks
you can use a basic dust mask or go with something a little more beefy like an N95 particle mask. But you want something to help cover your nose/mouth if the emergency involves dust and flying particles and/or smoke. You can use a handkerchief, but a dust mask is just as easy to store in your box.
Whistle
If you are stuck in a portion of the building that has collapse from an earthquake, for example, you’ll want a whistle like this one that you can use to let emergency rescuers hear you.
Burner phone
Having a back up phone is a great idea. If your phone is dead, having a backup burner at least gets you to 911. Just use an old cell phone, keep it charged, and you can still get to emergency services. You can use a walkie-talkie in this instance, too, which might also be able to pick up emergency chatter to let you keep track of news. If you want to take it a step further, get a weather radio with emergency bands.
Multi-tool
you might not want to have the most expensive Leatherman in your desk drawer all the time, but having a multi-tool in a time of crisis can be a lifesaver.
Extra pair of shoes
Can you imagine walking down 95 flights of stairs in your heels or barefoot? Keep an extra pair of shoes on hand to change into, if you can, and save yourself a lot of trouble!
Emergency escape route print out
This might be really handy to have, especially if you are new. This is something you should familiarize yourself with before an event, but having a copy with you that you can pull out of a bag might just save your life in knowing which way to go on in a large office environment.
Work gloves and googles
Particularly important for natural disasters. Work gloves and goggles can help you navigate buildings that collapse or are extensively damaged. They will keep your eyes and hands safe and allow you to get out of a bad situation in a safer way. Invest in good gloves and goggles, not dollar store items!
Other miscellaneous items
Below are a few more items that are less “emergency” related and may not help you escape something serious, but are good to have.
- Sewing kit
- Stain removal pen
- Feminine hygiene supplies
- Disinfecting wipes
- Safety pins
- Hand lotion
- Nail clippers
- Duct tape
- Contact lens needs
If you are in an office where you do not have your own desk and have to share, then keep all the items in a small bag that can travel with you. Or if there are lockers, you can keep them in there.
You can also speak to your office manager about making some of the above standard in their own emergency plans. If there is not a plan in place for more severe emergencies, this can be your chance to be a superstar! The more the company can have on hand – the less you will need to have in your own office preparedness kit.
