Children

Plan:

Include your children in family discussions and planning for emergency safety.

Teach your children their basic personal information so they can identify themselves and get help if they become separated from a parent or guardian.

Prepare an emergency card with information for each child, including his/her full name, address, phone number, parent’s work number and out of state contact.

Know the policies of the school or daycare center your children attend. Make plans to have someone pick them up if you are unable to get to them.

Regularly update your child’s school with current emergency contact information and persons authorized to pick up your child from school.

Make sure each child knows the family’s alternate meeting sites if you are separated in a disaster and cannot return to your home.

Make sure each child knows how to reach your family’s out-of-state contact person.

Teach children to dial their home telephone number and Emergency 9-1-1.

Teach children what gas smells like and advise them to tell an adult if they smell gas after an emergency.

Warn children never to touch wires on poles or lying on the ground.

Role-play with children to help them remain calm in emergencies and to practice basic emergency responses such as evacuation routes, Drop, Cover & Hold and Stop, Drop & Roll.

Role-play with children as to what they should do if a parent is suddenly sick or injured.

Role-play with children on what to say when calling Emergency 9-1-1.

Kit:

Include a family picture and a favorite toy, game or book for each child in his/her Go-bag.

Include your child’s emergency card and include information on reunification locations and out-of-area contact.

Provide comfort food and treats for each child in your family disaster supplies kit.

Keep a recent photo of your children in your Go-bag.