Action Plans: Special Needs for Children

Special | Children | Pets


Remember to include children when making disaster preparations. They can have an assigned part in the Family Disaster Plan, be taught to recognize danger signals (such as community warning systems), and memorize important family information and an emergency meeting place.

Take the following steps:

Tell your children that after an earthquake the family will get together again but that it may take from three days to two weeks.
Tell them not to believe earthquake-related rumors.
Educate them on the difference between earthquake entertainment (generally exaggerated for special effects) and reality.
Give them "earthquake buddies" (stuffed animals) they can talk to afterwards.
Check with schools and day care about disaster policies and procedures.
Work with schools and day care to make sure they conduct proper earthquake drills.
Make plans for someone to pick up children at school or day care if you are unable to do so.
Your child can have a personal kit kept at the foot of the bed or with the family kit:

Extra clothes and shoes—keep a sturdy pair upside down under the bed
Mittens, scarf, jacket
Earthquake buddy
Books and games
Comfort food
Flashlight with spare batteries, or light stick
Whistle
Paper with home address, phone number, parents' names, plus an emergency contact number
Toothbrush, toothpaste
Comb, brush

Make sure you have the following for any infants:

Formula
Bottles
Medications
Diapers
Powdered milk
During a disaster, children look to the adults for help. How you react gives them clues how to react. As an adult, you need to keep control of the situation. Immediately after the disaster, try to reduce your child's fear and anxiety.

Keep the family together. Make the children part of whatever you are doing. They worry that their parents won't return.
Calmly and firmly explain the situation. Tell them what you know about the disaster and explain what will happen next. Get down to their eye level and talk to them.
Encourage children to talk and ask questions and describe what they are feeling. Listen to what they say and remember to take their feelings seriously.
Include children in recovery activities. Give them their own responsibilities.
Be aware that after a disaster, children are most afraid that:

The event will happen again.
Someone will be killed or injured.
They will be separated from the family.
They will be left alone.
After the disaster, children are reassured by the household getting back to its normal routine. Maintain control, be understanding but firm, make decisions for them. Avoid inactivity.



 


 

 

Current Emergency Information