Disaster Preparedness for Children
The best gift you can give your children is to prepare them to survive
Disaster preparedness for children starts by sitting down with your children and briefly discussing some of the different types of disasters that could occur. Discuss what one should do in an earthquake. Invite their participation by asking them how they can keep safe during other types of disasters.
Talk about what might happen if they are at school when a disaster strikes. How might this be different than if the family is at home? Its important to keep a brave face, be honest, and not cause your children to become too fearful. Reassure them that being prepared is important, which is why you are discussing disaster preparedness for children.
In creating your family disaster plan, put together a home emergency kit as part of your emergency preparedness for children activities. Involve your children in this process. Ask them what they would like to include. A favorite toy or book? A stuffed animal? Allow them to help select some nonperishable foods to include.
Make sure you include other essentials such as bottled water, first aid supplies, extra medications, battery or crank-powered radio and flashlight, some basic tools, and extra blankets and clothing. You can either assemble your home disaster kit yourself or purchase a pre-made kit from a home improvement store.
Once assembled make sure your children know where the emergency kit is kept. Then practice some different disaster survival scenarios, and teach them some basic survival skills like basic first aid, building a shelter, how to read a compass, etc. These types of exercises will increase your childrens confidence in their ability to survive different types of emergencies.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has some great worksheets for kids and other tips for adults who are working on disaster preparedness for children. There are also interactive games for children on the FEMA website. All of the information from FEMA is developed in a way to help children learn to be ready for a disaster, yet not be fearful about what may occur in the future.