Kids Preparedness
What you should know about Preparing Kids for Emergencies
· Ensure children are included in preparedness conversations
· Learn the building blocks of preparedness − Be Informed, Make a Plan, Build a Kit and Get Involved.
· Know the emergency plan for your child’s school and child care facility
· Practice evacuation plans and other emergency procedures with children on a regular basis
· Learn different ways to help children cope during and after an emergency
· Make sure children have emergency contacts memorized or written down in a secure place
· Teach kids when and how to call important phone numbers like 911
Emergency Planning Considerations for Kids
· Include your child's medication or supplies in your family’s emergency kit.
· Include your child's favorite stuffed animals, board games, books or music in their emergency kit to comfort them in a disaster.
· Get the kids involved in building their own emergency kit. Store important family documents on your phone in a safe secure app. Keep hard copies in secure place.
· Emergencies can happen anytime.
· Ask your child’s teacher about the plans the school has in place for emergencies.
· Email, voice, or text. What will your child’s school use to communicate during an emergency?
· Know your school's evacuation & reunification plans.
· Talk to your kids about what to do before, during, and after a disaster.
· Ask your child's school for a copy of their emergency plan for you to keep at home & work
· Create a backpack emergency card that your child can keep with them.
· Create a family password or phrase to prevent your child from going with a stranger.
Emergency Supplies for Kids
• Non-perishable food items (dried fruit, peanut butter, etc.) for three-to-five days, or longer
• Can opener
• First aid kit
• Sleeping bags or warm blankets for everyone in your family
• Change of clothes for three-to-five days, including sturdy shoes
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap
• Paper plates, plastic cups, paper towels, utensils
• Water – at least one gallon per person, per day for three-to-five days, or longer
• Battery-powered hand-cranked radio with extra batteries
• Flashlights with extra batteries
• Cell phone with charger, extra battery and solar charger
• Whistle to signal for help
• Local maps
• Books, games, or puzzle
• A favorite stuffed animal
Online Resources
https://www.ready.gov/kids/games
https://www.ready.gov/kids/know-the-facts
https://www.healthychildren.org/
https://www.cdc.gov/phpr/readywrigley/documents/backpack_emergency_card.pdf