{"id":9123,"date":"2024-08-29T17:18:24","date_gmt":"2024-08-29T21:18:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/type1support.ca\/back-to-school-and-type-1-diabetes-how-to-prepare-an-emergency-kit\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T10:45:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T15:45:42","slug":"back-to-school-and-type-1-diabetes-how-to-prepare-an-emergency-kit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/type1support.naracreative.com\/en\/back-to-school-and-type-1-diabetes-how-to-prepare-an-emergency-kit\/","title":{"rendered":"Back-to-school and type 1 diabetes : how to prepare an emergency kit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is your child starting a new school year living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for the first time? If that\u2019s the case, then you not only need to get their school supplies ready, but also the diabetes supplies your child needs to have on hand and an emergency kit to be kept at school (e.g., school nurse, student services or child\u2019s locker, depending on their age). And yes, you\u2019ll have to do this every year!<\/p>\n

Your child\u2019s school nurse, if the school has one, should contact you to review the material that needs to be prepared and to fill out an intervention guide and protocol, usually called the individual care plan<\/a>. If not, don’t hesitate to contact your child\u2019s school.<\/p>\n

Whether your child is starting their first, second or fifth school year with T1D, or if they are diagnosed during the school year, they should ideally have the following items on hand or in their emergency kit.<\/p>\n

Please note that the emergency kit contents may differ according to the school’s specific requirements or the province’s protocol.<\/p>\n

Insulin and blood sugar management<\/b><\/h2>\n

If your child injects insulin with a pen, the same pen should ideally be used at school and at home. This will allow you to manage the replacement of insulin cartridges.<\/p>\n

Even if your child wears a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)<\/a> such as Dexcom or Freestyle Libre, they should always have a glucometer<\/b> (capillary blood glucose meter) close by (e.g., in their school bag, their desk or their teacher’s desk), so they can quickly check their blood sugar at the fingertip if they suspect they have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).<\/p>\n

Also, it\u2019s always good to keep a few extra items in case some get forgotten, lost or broken (e.g., spare pen, needles, alcohol swabs, CGM sensors or glucometer, adhesive patches, pump supplies); these extra supplies can be kept at school, with the school nurse, at student services or with a trusted person who is available and knowledgeable about the realities of T1D. The contents of the kit will vary according to how your child injects insulin and monitors their blood sugar (see list below), as well as their level of autonomy in managing additional items.<\/p>\n

In all cases, make sure the school has your contact details and those of your child’s healthcare team!\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Treating hypoglycemia<\/b><\/h2>\n

Ideally, your child should always have nasal glucagon<\/b> (Baqsimi) on hand for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia<\/a> (this is when they are unable to take sugar by mouth), either in their school bag or in their pockets, depending on their age. Schools usually appreciate having access to a spare nasal glucagon, either with the school nurse or in another secure location. You can share this instructions video<\/a> to the school staff about how to administer Baqsimi. This short video (approx. 2 min) has been validated as an effective training tool for school staff.<\/p>\n

Your child should also keep quick-acting sugar<\/b> in their bag, their desk or their pockets to correct mild to moderate hypoglycemia (e.g., Dex4 or other<\/a>). Most schools will also ask you to prepare extra sources of quick sugar and protein snacks<\/b> (e.g., milk cartons, granola bars, yogurt) to be kept with the school nurse or at student services. Make sure that refrigerated snacks can be kept in a fridge.<\/p>\n

Correcting hyperglycemia<\/b><\/h2>\n

Whenever your child has sustained hyperglycemia and is not feeling well, a member of the school staff will usually contact you. Blood ketone strips<\/b> and measuring device can be added to the emergency kit so that the level of ketones (ketone bodies), which are toxic molecules for the body, can be measured promptly.<\/p>\n

Make sure your child has a water bottle with them at all times and stays well hydrated, especially when they\u2019re having hyperglycemia.<\/p>\n

Type 1 diabetes school emergency kit checklist<\/h2>\n

EXTRA SUPPLIES<\/strong><\/h2>\n

(depending on your management tools)<\/p>\n

MULTIPLE DAILY INJECTIONS<\/h2>\n

(pen or syringe)<\/p>\n