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 their 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 911.
  • 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, and hold; and stop, drop, and 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 911.

In You Emergency Kit

  • Include a family picture and a favorite toy, game, or book for each child in their 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.