Providing for Children   Caring for children during and after a disaster creates a whole new set of challenges.  Small children have less stamina than adults and are more prone to dehydration, complications caused by extreme cold or heat, and the risks that come with injury or contagious disease.  They may also have, depending on the individual child, less tolerance for the disruption of routine -- including a change of sleeping arrangements, different types of foods, or a lack of TV or the usual playthings.  But on the plus side, because very young children live in the moment and have so little experience, they may experience much less anxiety and trauma than adults who are more aware of the ramifications of a disaster.  As parents and caregivers, the best thing we can do is be prepared and stay calm.  Make plans and gather information and materials now, so that when something happens you will be better able to focus on taking care of your child's physical and emotional needs.   In addition, we encourage you to talk with your children, at a level they can understand, about the safe and appropriate way to handle emergencies like fire, flood, high winds, earthquake and etc.   Then, drill with them.  That is, have them "pretend" with you about what to do in each kind of emergency.  Remember not to inject your own fears and anxieties into these discussions and rehearsals.  The goal is -- to quote preparedness activist Maria Shriver -- "Don't be scared.  Be prepared!"  It is not necessary for young children to view such events as big and scary.  It is enough to tell them in matter of fact terms that we practice emergency procedures so that we can be safe and not get hurt.  Praise their efforts and point out to them that they have learned something very important.  If you have multiple children, or are a teacher or caregiver, emphasize how important it will be for everyone to work together and to follow directions.  Have them practice these skills with such games as "Mother May I' and "Simon Says" as well as various cooperative games.  Provide dress up materials and props that will allow them to pretend about what they've learned (as this both reinforces the lesson and gives an outlet for feelings). Also be sure children understand the role of various emergency service providers, such as firefighters, nurses & doctors, police, and search & rescue crew.  Use books and pictures to familiarize them with the uniforms and the gear these workers wear and explain that although they may look strange (with face masks, headlamps, etc) it is important to listen to  them and cooperate. Finally, consider that you may not be present when a disaster occurs.  Make a plan for your child's safety that includes school, daycare, as well as family or friends who may care for her/him in your absence.  You may wish to print and utilize the Homeland Security Family Communications Plan.  as well as the Red Cross Family Disaster Plan handout (pdf)).   For further reading: Helping Children Cope with Disaster -- Interesting and important information from the NAEYC, the National Association for the Education of Young Children.   When Disaster Strikes: Helping children cope with life at its worst  -- from the PTA.  A reasonably short but very comprehensive article that includes providing support and nourishing growth and security.   Disaster: Helping Children Cope -- from the National Association of School Psychologists, this article includes common stages and reactions plus concrete suggestions for emotionally supporting a child after a disaster.   Helping Children Handle Disaster Related Anxiety  -- Helpful information for comforting preschool and school age children.   Tips for Talking About Disasters --  from the National Mental Health Information Center, this collection of articles is aimed at helping teachers, and parents, find successful and sensitive ways to help kids process large scale tragedies, both natural and manmade.     Supplies to stock for children: diapers, pull-ups, "goodnights" formula drink boxes of juice and milk snack foods they enjoy (will ensure nourishment is consumed, as well as provide emotional comfort and sense of security) favorite cuddly games, songs, story-telling activities that don't require materials (for example, playing "I spy something...green/etc") extra clothing in case of "wetting" accidents (important when weather is cold) supplies for warmth or cooling, as listed above (small children chill or overheat more easily than adults) markers, paper, storybooks, dolls/action figures, small ball, battery operated interactive games/books child strength pain and cold medications

 

FEMA for Kids 

Site teaches you how to be prepared for disasters and prevent disaster damage. You can also learn what causes disasters, play games, read stories and become a Disaster Action Kid.
 

Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book

This printable coloring book produced by the American Red Cross covers several types of natural disasters (fire, hurricane, flood, thunderstorm, tornado, winter storm, earthquake) and explains to kids what to expect, what to do, and how to prepare.

Earthquake Preparedness

A printable guide that covers what kids can do before, during, and after a quake.
 

Fire Safety for Kids

Learn fire safety the fun way -- with online games and coloring.  Although this site is powered with Flash, most of the information pages can also be printed out for later review.  If you take the Junior Fire Marshal quiz, you can print out your own certificate showing that you know a lot about fire safety.
 

Kids Click Natural Disasters

A collection of interesting and interactive websites about various forces of nature -- floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and more.  Includes resources from National Geographic and PBS.  Just click a category to get started.

Hand Washing Science

With concerns surfacing about new and more powerful forms of the flu spreading, it's important to learn good hygiene practices.  One way to protect yourself and your family is by learning how to stay clear of deadly germs and to practice good hand washing habits.

 

I'll Know What To Do : A Kid's Guide to Natural Disasters by Bonnie S. Mark, Ph.D. & Aviva Layton illustrated by Michael Cheswort   Earthquakes, floods, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes—pretty scary words, especially for anyone who lives in a place that has experienced any of these events. In particular, a child who has survived a natural disaster, or seen one on television, may have trouble falling asleep, have nightmares, or start worrying too much. This book will help. I'll Know What to Do looks at each natural disaster separately. First it gives the facts:   What causes an earthquake? Can we predict a tornado? Why are mud slides dangerous? How are fires tracked? Then it provides important tips on prevention, safety, and what to do in case disaster does strike. Perhaps most important, though, the book explores the feelings that often emerge in the aftermath, and offers useful techniques to help young people work through them. This is the first book of its kind—a manual for helping kids understand and cope with their feelings and reactions to these frightening events.   64 pages, 23 illustrations 6” x 8.5" Ages 8 to 13

The moment you have to evacuate is not the moment to figure out how to care for your pets in an emergency -- especially if you also have small children to care for!  Make a plan now and assemble supplies.  Be sure to include first aid supplies for you and your pet.  Also be aware that if you are evacuated and housed in emergency shelter your pet will need not be able to stay in the shelter with you -- unless it is a guide dog.  FEMA advises calling your local emergency management office or animal shelter for further advice.  Be aware too that not all motels/hotels allow pets.

food

water (bowl and water bottle)

leash and collar/harness

travel crate

toilet needs (incontinence pads, cat litter, baggies for doggy poop, etc. could all make a prolonged sheltering together much more pleasant -- but don't let it slow down an evacuation)

important medications (antibiotics or etc. that your pet is currently using -- are they within easy reach if you have to leave quick?)

neighbors and nearby family who know your pet will need help if an emergency occurs while you are out of town.

make sure your pet has a proper ID tag and/or identifier (microchip or tattoo) to help you reconnect in the event your are separated

make an emergency shelter plan for your pet

get your pet used to traveling in your vehicle, if possible, so that transport will be less traumatic for all concerned

 Pet-Medic Standard First-Aid & Travel Kit

 

• Are You Ready?  -- Printable (pdf) guide for citizen preparedness that covers a broad range of natural disasters and other emergencies.  HTML version
   

•  American Red Cross community disaster education materials --  for more information about contact your local Red Cross chapter.
   

• Recovering From Disaster -- tips from FEMA about coping with the period after a disaster
  
   

• DisasterHelp.Gov --  Created by the U.S. government to consolidate disaster services information and news, the Disaster Help website provides a wide array of up to date information.  
  
   

• Shelter-in-Place in an Emergency -- important instructions from the American Red Cross about situations and procedures that involve this particular emergency warning.
  
   

• Learning more about Terrorist Related Emergencies --  From the Department of Homeland Security.
  Biological Threat, Chemical Threat, Explosions, Nuclear Blast, Radiation Threat.
  
   

• Disaster Links  -- created and maintained by CBS News, this impressive database connects visitors with top notch information on all kinds of natural and manmade disasters, including disease epidemics.

 

 

 

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