Kids' Emergency Preparedness Guide 2024

This guide helps parents teach children about emergencies and how to stay safe. Key points:

Covers common emergencies, family plans, and essential skills
Includes tips for making age-appropriate emergency kits
Explains how to handle fear during tough situations
Discusses using technology safely in emergencies
Provides practice strategies and community involvement ideas

Quick overview of main topics:

Topic	Key Points
Emergency Types	Natural disasters, fires, health issues, bad weather, safety problems
Family Plans	Communication methods, meeting places, assigned roles
Key Skills	Basic first aid, getting help, recognizing danger signs
Emergency Kits	Essential items, age-specific needs, maintenance tips
Handling Emotions	Coping techniques, post-emergency support
Technology Use	Helpful apps, battery-saving tips, safe online practices
Practice & Community	Home drills, participating in local events

This guide aims to empower kids with knowledge and skills to handle unexpected situations confidently and safely.

2. Types of Emergencies

This section covers common emergencies kids should know about and clears up wrong ideas about emergency situations.

2.1 Common Emergencies Kids Should Know

Kids need to know about different types of emergencies. Here's a list of common ones:

Emergency Type	What Kids Should Know
Natural Disasters	Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes
Fires	Home fires, wildfires, how smoke alarms work
Health Problems	Injuries, allergic reactions, sudden sickness
Bad Weather	Thunderstorms, snowstorms, very hot days
Safety Issues	Getting lost, stranger danger, being home alone

Each emergency needs its own plan. For example:

In a fire: Kids should know how to react to smoke alarms and how to get out safely.
During an earthquake: Kids should learn to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On."

2.2 Clearing Up Wrong Ideas About Emergencies

Kids often think wrong things about emergencies. Let's fix some of these ideas:

Wrong Idea	Right Idea
"Emergencies always happen suddenly"	Many emergencies have warning signs. Knowing these signs helps kids get ready.
"Adults will always be there to help"	Sometimes kids might need to act on their own. Teaching them what to do helps them feel sure of themselves.
"It's okay to panic"	Being scared is normal, but staying calm helps more. Practice what to do so kids feel less scared.
"All emergencies need the same response"	Different emergencies need different actions. For example, leave during a fire, but find shelter during a tornado.

Teaching kids the right ideas about emergencies helps them stay safe and know what to do when things go wrong.

3. Making a Family Emergency Plan

A good family emergency plan helps everyone stay safe when unexpected things happen. Here's how to make one:

3.1 How to Stay in Touch During Emergencies

It's important to know how to contact each other when things go wrong:

Method	What to Do	Why It's Helpful
Out-of-area contact	Pick someone who lives far away	They can pass messages if local phones don't work
Contact cards	Make cards with important numbers	Everyone can carry them for easy access
Text messages	Use texts instead of calls	Texts often work when calls don't
Family group chat	Set up a chat for everyone	Quick way to share updates with all family members

3.2 Picking Safe Meeting Places

Choose places to meet if you can't go home:

1. At home: Pick a safe room in your house

2. Near home: Choose a spot close by, like a neighbor's house

3. Away from home: Pick a place farther away, like a library

4. Far away: Choose a spot in another town

Make sure everyone knows these places and how to get there safely.

3.3 Giving Each Family Member a Job

Everyone can help in an emergency. Here are some jobs:

Job	What They Do	How Kids Can Help
Supply checker	Keep emergency kits ready	Pack their own comfort items
Contact keeper	Keep phone numbers up to date	Practice making emergency calls
Safety helper	Check smoke alarms and clear paths	Look for things that might be unsafe
Pet helper	Get pet supplies ready	Pack pet food and toys

4. Key Emergency Skills for Kids

This section covers important skills kids should learn to handle emergencies better.

4.1 Basic First Aid

Kids can learn simple ways to help in medical emergencies:

Situation	What to Do
Small cuts	• Wash with soap and water • Put on antibiotic cream • Cover with a bandage
Nosebleeds	• Sit up straight • Lean forward a bit • Pinch nose for 10-15 minutes
Burns	• Run cool water over it for 10-20 minutes • Cover with clean cloth • Get help for big burns

4.2 Getting Help

Kids need to know how to ask for help when needed:

1. Calling for emergency help

• Know when to call (big injuries, fires) • Practice dialing the emergency number • Learn to say name, place, and what's wrong

2. Finding safe adults

• Know who to trust (teachers, neighbors, police) • Practice asking for help • Learn to explain problems clearly

3. Using safety tools

• Learn about personal alarms or safety apps • Practice using these tools • Know when to use them

4.3 Seeing Danger Signs

Teaching kids to spot risks can stop accidents:

Type of Danger	What to Look For
Weather	• Dark clouds • Strong winds
Unsafe places	• Thin ice • Deep water
Fire risks	• Worn-out wires • Candles left alone
Stranger danger	• Odd behavior • People getting too close
Home hazards	• Harmful chemicals • Odd smells (gas) • Bad wires or too many plugs

5. What to Put in an Emergency Kit

An emergency kit helps your family stay safe when unexpected things happen. Here's what you need to know about making a kit for kids and keeping it ready.

5.1 Items for a Kid-Friendly Emergency Kit

A good kit for kids should have things they need and things that make them feel better. Here's what to pack:

Type	Things to Include
Food & Water	• Snacks that last (granola bars, dried fruits) • Water bottles (1 gallon per person each day) • Can opener you use by hand
Health	• Basic first aid kit • Kids' medicines • Hand cleaner
Clothes & Warmth	• Extra clothes • Blanket or sleeping bag • Rain coat
Safety & Talking	• Flashlight and extra batteries • Whistle • List of important phone numbers
Fun Stuff	• Favorite toy • Coloring books and crayons • Card games
Cleaning Up	• Toothbrush and toothpaste • Wet wipes • Sunscreen

Remember to add things your child needs, like extra glasses if they wear them.

5.2 Keeping the Kit Ready

Making sure your kit is ready to use is just as important as putting it together. Here's how to do that:

1. Check Often: Look through your kit every six months. Replace old food, get bigger clothes if needed, and check if batteries still work.

2. Get Kids Involved: Let kids help check the kit. This teaches them why it's important and helps them know what's inside.

3. Easy to Find: Keep the kit where everyone can get to it easily. Put it in a box that water can't get into and keep bugs away.

4. Use and Replace: Use things before they get old and buy new ones. This way, you don't waste anything and always have fresh stuff.

5. Change with Seasons: Add different things based on the time of year. Put in warm clothes for winter or sunscreen for summer.

6. Staying Safe at Home

This section covers key ways to handle common emergencies at home.

6.1 Fire Safety and How to Get Out

To stay safe from fires:

Put smoke alarms on every floor and check them monthly
Make a plan to get out with two ways to leave each room
Teach kids to "Stop, Drop, and Roll" if their clothes catch fire
Pick a safe meeting place outside

If there's a fire:

Get out fast, don't hide
Check if doors are hot before opening
Stay low to avoid smoke
Never go back inside

6.2 What to Do in an Earthquake

To get ready for earthquakes:

Tie down big furniture and things that might fall
Find safe spots in each room (under strong tables, next to inside walls)
Practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" often

During an earthquake:

Drop to the ground
Get under something strong
Hold on until it stops shaking
Stay away from windows and outside walls

6.3 Getting Ready for Bad Weather

Different types of bad weather need different plans:

Weather	What to Do
Hurricanes	- Cover windows - Get extra food and water - Have a radio that uses batteries
Tornadoes	- Find a safe room or basement - Practice what to do - Keep shoes and helmets near the safe spot
Blizzards	- Cover windows and doors to keep heat in - Have warm clothes and blankets ready - Get extra heating fuel

Tips for all bad weather:

Listen to weather reports
Keep emergency kits up to date and easy to find
Know how to turn off water, gas, and power if told to
Have a plan for how your family will talk to each other

7. Emergency Rules at School

Schools have plans to keep kids safe during emergencies. It's important for children to know these rules and what to do if something goes wrong at school.

7.1 School Safety Rules

Here are some key safety rules for kids at school:

Rule	What It Means
Listen to teachers	Do what teachers say during drills or real emergencies
Know the exits	Learn where emergency exits are in each room
Know where to go	Remember how to leave the building and where to meet outside
Keep info up-to-date	Make sure the school has the right phone numbers for your family
Speak up	Tell a teacher if you see something unsafe

Parents should talk about these rules with their kids often and tell them to take safety drills seriously.

7.2 What to Do if There's an Emergency at School

If there's a real emergency at school, kids should:

1. Stay calm and listen carefully

2. Follow the right steps for different problems:

Emergency	What to Do
Fire	Get out of the building quickly and quietly
Earthquake	Get under a strong desk or table
Lockdown	Go to a safe place, be quiet, and do what teachers say
Bad weather	Go to safe areas in the school

3. Stay with their class unless teachers say to do something else

4. Don't use phones unless it's very important

5. Wait for teachers to say it's okay before leaving or calling parents

Parents should also know the school's emergency plans. This means knowing how the school will tell parents about emergencies and where to pick up kids if they have to leave the school.

8. Handling Feelings During Emergencies

Emergencies can scare kids, but learning to manage emotions helps them stay calm and safe. Here's how to deal with fear during emergencies and cope after they're over.

8.1 Dealing with Fear When Things Go Wrong

When emergencies happen, it's normal for kids to feel scared. Here are ways to help children manage their fear:

Technique	How to Do It	Why It Helps
Deep breathing	Take slow, deep breaths	Calms body and mind
Positive self-talk	Say "I can handle this" or "I'm brave"	Boosts confidence
Focus on facts	Think about what's really happening	Reduces worry about made-up fears
Remember the plan	Think about your family's emergency plan	Gives a sense of control
Stay close to others	Keep near trusted adults or family	Provides comfort

8.2 Feeling Better After an Emergency

After an emergency, kids might still feel upset. Here's how to help them feel better:

Talk about it: Let kids share their feelings. Listen and show you understand.
Get back to normal: Do regular activities when it's safe. This helps kids feel better.
Watch less news: Too much news about the emergency can make kids worry more.
Take care of yourself: Make sure kids sleep enough, eat well, and play outside.
Get help if needed: If a child keeps feeling scared, talk to a doctor who helps kids with feelings.

Way to Help	What to Do
Talk	Listen to kids' feelings without judging
Normal routine	Go back to regular activities when safe
Limit news	Don't watch too much about the emergency
Self-care	Ensure good sleep, food, and exercise
Professional help	See a doctor if fear doesn't go away

9. Using Technology in Emergencies

Technology can help kids stay safe and connected during emergencies. Here's how to use it well.

9.1 Helpful Apps for Emergencies

Smartphones and tablets can be useful in emergencies. Here are some good apps for kids and families:

App Type	What It Does	Examples
Weather	Gives weather updates and warnings	AccuWeather, Weather Underground
First Aid	Shows how to help injured people	Red Cross First Aid, St John Ambulance First Aid
Emergency Alerts	Sends official emergency messages	FEMA App, Emergency Alert System
Family Finder	Helps find where family members are	Life360, Find My Friends
Offline Maps	Helps you find your way without internet	Google Maps (offline mode), Maps.me

Practice using these apps with kids before an emergency happens. This helps them know how to use the apps when they need to.

9.2 Using Tech Safely During Emergencies

Technology can help, but it's important to use it the right way:

1. Save Battery Power: Teach kids these tips:

Turn down screen brightness
Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not using them
Close apps they're not using
Use airplane mode if there's no cell service

2. Talk Smart: Show kids how to send short text messages instead of calling. Texts use less battery and often work better when networks are busy.

3. Get Good Info: Show kids how to find trustworthy news. Tell them it's important to check if information is true before sharing it.

4. Keep Important Info Safe: Save important papers, phone numbers, and health info in a safe online place you can get to from any device.

5. Stay Safe Online: Remind kids not to share personal info online, even during emergencies. Teach them to make sure requests for information are real.

Do This	Don't Do This
Use official emergency apps	Share info you're not sure is true
Keep devices charged	Use up battery on fun stuff
Download maps you can use offline	Only use apps that need internet
Update emergency contact list	Ignore official warnings
Learn emergency features on your phone	Forget about other ways to talk (like radios)

10. Practicing Your Emergency Plan

Practicing your emergency plan helps your family get ready for real problems. Doing drills at home and joining community events can make you better at handling emergencies.

10.1 Doing Emergency Drills at Home

Doing drills at home helps everyone learn what to do and shows what needs to be fixed. Here are some important things to do:

1. Set Regular Times: Pick times to practice different emergency situations, like fires, earthquakes, or bad weather.

2. Make It Real: Try to make drills feel like real emergencies. For example, practice getting out in the dark.

3. Check How Long It Takes: See how fast you can do each drill. Try to get faster each time.

4. Switch Jobs: Give family members different tasks during drills so everyone learns all parts of the plan.

5. Look at What Happened: After each drill, talk about what went well and what needs to be better. Change your plan if needed.

Drill Type	How Often	What to Practice
Fire	Every month	How to get out, where to meet, calling for help
Earthquake	Every 3 months	Getting under cover, finding safe spots
Bad Weather	Every 6 months	Finding safe rooms, using emergency radio
Someone Breaking In	Once a year	Locking doors/windows, going to safe room

10.2 Joining Community Safety Events

Being part of community safety events can teach your family more about getting ready for emergencies. Here's how to join in:

1. Go to Local Classes: Many fire stations, police stations, and community centers have free classes about getting ready for emergencies.

2. Join in September Events: Every September, do things that are part of National Preparedness Month to learn more about emergencies.

3. Be Part of Neighborhood Watch: These groups often teach about emergencies and help you work with neighbors when problems happen.

4. Help Local Emergency Teams: Think about joining Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) to learn more and help your town during big problems.

5. Plan Big Drills: Work with people who live near you to do big emergency drills, like practicing leaving the area or staying inside.

11. Special Emergency Plans

Some kids need extra help during emergencies. Plans also need to change as kids get older. Let's look at how to make plans that work for different kids and ages.

11.1 Emergency Plans for Kids with Special Needs

Kids with special needs often need more help during emergencies. Here's what to think about:

Need	What to Do	What to Add to Kit
Medicine	Keep a list of medicines and doses	Extra medicine, special food
Moving around	Plan how to get out safely	Wheelchair parts, walking aids
Talking	Find ways to communicate	Picture cards, hearing aid batteries
Staying calm	Pack things that help the child relax	Favorite toys, headphones

Remember to:

Practice your plan often
Keep important info where it's easy to find
Tell helpers what your child needs

11.2 Changing Plans for Different Ages

As kids grow, they can do more to help in emergencies. Here's how to change your plans:

Age Group	What They Can Learn	How to Teach Them
2-5 years	Basic safety rules	Use songs, simple games
6-11 years	How to call for help, basic first aid	Practice scenarios, teach 911 use
12-17 years	More advanced safety skills	Let them help make family plans
18+ years	Full emergency response	Teach about dorm/campus safety

Tips for all ages:

Keep instructions simple
Practice often
Talk about why safety is important
Let kids help with emergency kits

12. Extra Skills for Older Kids

As kids get older, they can learn more about handling emergencies. This part looks at new skills older kids can pick up to be ready for different problems.

12.1 Outdoor Survival Skills

Knowing how to survive outdoors is important for older kids. Here are some key skills:

Skill	What to Learn	Why It's Useful
Making Fire	How to use matches and lighters safely	Keeps you warm and helps signal for help
Building Shelter	How to make simple shelters with tarps and branches	Protects from weather
Finding Water	How to find and clean water	Keeps you healthy and hydrated
Safe Food	How to spot safe plants to eat	Helps you find food if needed
Finding Your Way	How to use maps and compasses	Helps you get back to safety

12.2 Staying Safe in City Emergencies

Cities can be tricky during emergencies. Older kids should know these things:

Skill	What to Learn	Why It's Important
Using Public Transport	Know bus and subway routes	Helps you move around if cars can't
Finding Safe Places	Know where police stations and hospitals are	Gives you places to go for help
Talking to Others	How to use payphones and public Wi-Fi	Lets you call for help or get info
City Emergency Rules	Know how your city warns people	Helps you know what to do
City Survival Tips	How to find water and shelter in a city	Keeps you safe if you're stuck

13. Wrap-Up

13.1 Why We Always Need to Be Ready

Being ready for emergencies is something we need to keep working on. Here's why it's so important:

Reason	Explanation
Emergencies can happen anytime	We can't predict when problems will occur, so being ready helps us handle them better
New risks appear	As things change around us, new dangers can come up. We need to update our plans to stay safe
Skills need practice	If we don't use emergency skills often, we might forget them when we need them most
Keeping family safe	When everyone knows what to do, there's less panic and better results during emergencies

13.2 Checking and Updating Your Plans

To make sure your emergency plans work well, you need to look at them often and make changes:

1. Check twice a year: Mark your calendar to review your plans every six months

2. Update contact info: Make sure you have the right phone numbers and meeting places

3. Check supplies: Look at the dates on food, water, and medicine in your kits. Replace old items

4. Practice skills: Do emergency drills to make sure everyone remembers what to do

5. Stay up-to-date: Keep an eye on what local emergency teams are saying and add their advice to your plans

FAQs

How do you teach children about emergency preparedness?

Teaching kids about emergencies involves:

Talking openly about possible problems and how to stay safe
Getting kids to help make family emergency plans
Doing practice drills to learn what to do
Using fun books, games, or videos to teach
Answering questions to help kids feel less worried

When kids help get ready, they feel more sure about what to do if something goes wrong.

What are the emergency preparedness activities for kids?

Fun activities can help kids learn about emergencies:

Activity	What It Is	Why It Helps
Make a Kit Game	Kids pack pretend emergency kits	Teaches what to pack and why
Act Out Emergencies	Pretend different emergency situations	Helps kids know what to do
Safety Item Hunt	Find safety things at home or nearby	Shows kids where to find help
Make Emergency Cards	Write down who to call for help	Makes sure kids know who to contact
Learn First Aid	Practice simple ways to help hurt people	Teaches how to help in emergencies

These games teach kids about emergencies and help them think quickly when they need to.