Children and Emergency Preparedness

Addressing children and emergency preparedness issues is extremely important and it must to be done without causing them emotional harm. We need to take in to consideration the needs of our youngest citizens when it comes to readiness.

Teach Children Emergency Preparedness ~ Image: Morguefiles

In the fires, floods, storms, and general upheaval the youngest members in disaster are being shook up and tossed into uncertain circumstances. They find themselves in perilous or frightening conditions and unsure of what to do with their situation. 


We can't always be there for them. This may be a tough fact to accept but it is an issue that has to be addressed. 


Prepare children for an emergency where they may not have an adult around to help them. They may have to do for themselves or search out an adult to help them if something has happened to the family or home. Do this as gently as possible with some simple play training that teaches them about food, water, shelter, and finding or using first aid.



From Survival Recovery:

Children in Emergencies

With the news  today there are signs that we may need to be ready for anything. This includes our children. We are sending them to school to ready them for the future with a good education.

Scouting  and other readiness ideas need to be given them as well. There are many good ways to help a younger child understand what they need to do in emergency conditions.

Preparing them properly may save their lives.

Let’s start with evaluating the mind set of said child or children. If I have a four year old or a younger toddler, I am responsible completely for this child’s welfare and needs. Children ages 5 and over can be fed small bits of information to ready them in the event of an emergency situation occurring. Adolescents can be given the information straight if they are mature enough to understand what you are talking about and if they are strong willed in nature.

When presenting these ideas to your family be selective of who you would share this information with.

If little Susie is easily given to nightmares she is not a family member to discuss emergency plans with. While son, Billy, a teenager, is a rock and won’t be affected by serious conversations. Appoint older kids as captains to shepherd younger siblings and / or pets to the safe area you have designated for these events.

Think about the equipment you have for emergencies. Does your youngest member of the family have the capability to understand how start up a generator or are they too young for this lesson? Can they use a two-way radio or a CB? Arm them with valuable information for the age group they are in. They need to be able to safely tend to their needs on their own in the worst case scenario.

Gently show them different ideas for preparedness teaching and let them view it as a serious game. They need to understand how to feed, hydrate, and shelter without assistance. Target the basic human necessities. The more info you give them on a delicate level the safer they are going to be. We don’t want them dealing with hazards that are harmful to them but we do want them to know what dangers may lurk in the event you cannot be there for them. Seriously consider that there may be an event of this occurance..(more..)

Children need to be ale to be independent in emergency conditions.

Offer preparedness topics to the little ones in a language and manner that is appropriate to their age group. Taking the time to train these bright, young minds can help alleviate some confusion and enable them to think or act on their own in times of peril or trouble.

It might just be the one readiness activity that serves your family best.

Talk to children gently about emergency survival. They may just surprise you with ideas you never thought of!


Kids often become heroes in disasters!

Image: Morgefile