Helping Children in an Emergency
Children experience trauma and fear during a natural disaster. If they know what to do because they have practiced family disaster drills they should be calmer. When parents are calm, children calm down more quickly.
Before a disaster is the time parents should prepare children.
- Develop and practice your own Family Disaster Plan
- Teach children how to recognize danger signals
- Explain and practice how to call for help (911)
- Help children memorize important family information
- Include children’s toys and special foods in your 72-hour kit
After a disaster, most children are afraid it will happen again, that someone will be hurt or killed and they that they will be separated from family and be alone.
Parents can help minimize their children’s fears.
- Keep the family together, do not leave children with relatives or friends – take your children with you
- Calmly and firmly explain the situation and your plans
- Squat down to talk to your children at eye level
- Encourage children to talk about the disaster and ask questions
- Include children in recovery activities by giving them chores that will help them feel they are helping things get back to normal.
- Reassure children with firmness and love.
Sympathize with and resolve their anxieties. Hold your children and spend more time with them.
