Emergency Preparedness for Children

You can prepare for potential hazards by having a plan in place to deal with anticipated impacts of an event. Having your plan and emergency kit prepared in advance is the best way to support your family and pets. You may need to Shelter in Place or “hunker down” in your home for at least 72 hours (3 days) without needing to leave for supplies. Plan to be without power in many hazards that could occur.

An emergency or disaster can affect someone for a long time. children are especially vulnerable. Depending on their age, their reactions may be different.

During an emergency, children may require individual plans or supplies. Just as it’s important for every household to prepare an Emergency Preparedness Plan and 72-Hour Emergency Preparedness Kit, it is essential to incorporate the needs of the children within your household into that plan or kit.

When preparing a Family Emergency Preparedness Plan, it is important to incorporate the special needs of children. The following reminders/tips will help those who may require assistance before, during and/or after a disaster or emergency.

• Toys for your child to play with
• Additional clothing
• Diapers, formula, wipes and other specialized items
• Recent photo of your child, identification and fingerprints
• Emergency contact lists in case they are unable to get hold of a parent

It is important to educate and to involve children in family emergency planning using the three fundamental steps:

• Know the Risks
• Make a Plan
• Get a Kit

Helping children prepare for emergencies

• Teach them about natural hazards like earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, ice storms, and blizzards --and what to do when they occur.
• Make a family emergency plan and preparing an emergency kit together.
• Teach your children what to do in case of a fire.
• Make sure your children know what to do at school if an emergency happens.

Helping children cope

Children, in particular, can feel the stress deeply -- and may react in different ways. The key to helping your children cope is simply by being there and making them feel safe.

• Take their fears seriously and tell them that it's okay to be scared.
• Explain the events as best you can and acknowledge what's frightening about what happened.
• Tell your children what you think and feel. Doing so helps them feel less alone if they know that their feelings are similar to yours.
• Maintain familiar routines, like mealtimes and regular bedtime hours.
• While parents can play a huge role in helping children deal with anxiety, it may be helpful to talk to a professional such as a psychologist or social worker, who can help children understand and cope with their emotions.

Did You Know...

Younger children may cry, whine, wet the bed, experience separation anxiety in emergency situations. Older children may experience an intense fear of injury or separation anxiety. Other common reactions include a fear of the dark, physical pain and eating or sleeping problems.

Activity Guide to Assist Families to Prepare: Let's plan for the unexpected (PDF)