Emergency Preparedness For Kids Your Kids Needs May Differ From Yours

Emergency preparedness for kids is very different from those of an adult. Children do not have the capacity to anticipate emergencies and would need to be schooled by their parents during these times. The good news is that emergency preparedness for kids is not as hard as most people think. All it requires is some patience on the parent’s part as well as being forward thinking in terms of supplies. That being said, the following are some tips about emergency preparedness for kids.

Equipment and Supplies

Children need the same thing adults do – food, water, clothes and shelter. However, depending on their age, this might vary a little. For example, toddlers would still require diapers or baby food for consumption. Milk and the constant supply of clean water are also necessary. For that reason, children supplies must be separate from mom and dad’s. Try getting a separate backpack for them and put in other supplies like flashlight, radio and towels. The child’s favorite snack is also welcome.

Emergency Preparedness for Kids - Toys

This might sound ridiculous but children still need distractions especially if there’s a chance that they will be huddled in a confined space for long lengths of time. Try going for toys that would occupy only a small space in a backpack. For example, crayons and several coloring books would be enough to keep children entertained for several days. For older children, their favorite handheld game would also suffice, just don’t forget those extra batteries.

Instructions

Possibly the most important emergency preparedness for kids is teaching them what to do in case they get separated from mom and dad. This means providing them with proper identification or telling them to memorize specific names and phrases. Letting them have their own light backpack is also a good idea – perhaps with a family photo shoved in for extra identification. Teaching children about who to call and where to go in case of separation is also ideal. Perhaps writing down the phone number of relatives would aid them better in getting from point A to point B.

Parents need to realize that emergency preparedness for kids shouldn’t be done only when a calamity is brewing. It must be instilled in their minds even before that so that they will have a longer time to remember the lessons. The good news is that there are currently games introduced in the market that would aid parents in teaching their children about preparing for emergencies.

Emergency Lights

Lights are essential in an emergency situation. They come in a variety of different types:

Flashlights:  

There are many types of flashlights designed for different uses. From the penlight and keychain flashlight that you can carry in a pocket or purse, to the head mounted flashlight used for camping and by miners, to the tactical flashlight usually mounted on rifles of hand guns but can be handheld used by the military or hunters.

The most common source of power for the flashlight is the battery. Many different types of batteries and used in LED flashlights, such as button cells, alkaline, lithium, NiMH, NiCad, and lithium Ion. However in most emergency situations many people prefer alternate powered flashlights such as dynamo (Crank), solar powered.

·         Dynamo: Dynamo LED flashlights are ideal for emergency situations because there is no need for batteries. Batteries have been known to leak and/or drain when left in devices for long periods of time. Dynamo powered LED flashlights eliminate the need for batteries.  The dynamo LED flashlight can be operated by cranking a handle. Hand cranked dynamos are used in hand powered LED flashlights, mobile phone rechargers.  Some dynamo LED flashlights are operated by squeezing a handle instead of cranking.       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

·         Flashlights use different types of light bulbs to illuminate them; the incandescent flashlight uses an incandescent bulb which consists of a glass bulb and a tungsten filament.  Incandescent light bulbs are being replaced by other types of electric lights, such as fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, high-intensity discharge lamps, and light-emitting diodes (LED).

·         LED or Light-emitting diode. A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor light source. LED lamps can be used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting such as LED flashlights. The early LED emitted low intensity red light but now are available in visible, ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths with very high brightness. LED light bulbs are available as replacements for screw-in bulbs, including floodlight fixtures, household lamps, and accent light applications.

·         Emergency Strobe Lights:  A strobe light is a device used to produce regular flashes of light. A strobe light typically uses a capacitor, an energy storage device much like a battery, but capable of charging and releasing energy much faster. Recently, some strobe lights have been found to use rectified mains electricity. In a capacitor based strobe light, the capacitor is charged up to 300V. Most strobe lights are factory-limited to 10-12 flashes per second.

·         LED Lanterns: A lantern is a portable lighting device or mounted light fixture used to light up broad areas. Lanterns may also be used for signaling, as a 'torch' to illuminating ones walking, or as general light sources outdoors. Lanterns utilizing LED are becoming increasingly popular due to energy conservation, improvements in LED technology, and reduced production costs. Mounted lanterns can use LED lamps. LED lamps have become brighter and more rugged. Battery-powered LED lanterns typically run longer than incandescent bulbs or fluorescent tubes of comparable brightness.

First Aid Kits and Medical Supplies

Every home should have a well-stocked first aid or medical kit. First aid kits vary in content depending on what it is intended to be used for.  But all kits should have the basic items:

A First Aid Manual:

·         Instructions on how to apply first aid.

Bandages: Your first aid kit should have an assortment of bandages and pads.

·         Adhesive Bandages: (Band-Aid) used on small cuts and scrapes, comes in different shapes and sizes. Made of fabric, plastic or latex, adhesive bandages usually have absorbent pads, which are sometimes medicated with an antiseptic solution. Adhesive bandages are one of the most common types of bandages for everyday use around the home.

·         Elastic Bandage: (also known as elastic wrap) is stretchable and used to create localized pressure. Constructed from cotton, polyester and latex-free elastic yarns. Elastic bandages are commonly used to treat muscle sprains and strains. By varying the ratio of cotton, polyester, and the elastic yarns within a bandage, manufacturers are able to offer various grades of compression and durability in their wraps.

·         Triangular Bandage: is a cloth cut into a right angle triangle can be used for a sling or folded into a square and used as a regular bandage or for specialized applications, as on the head.

·         Gauze Bandage: The gauze bandage is a simple woven strip of material which can come in any number of widths and lengths. A gauze bandage can be used for almost any bandage application. Gauze bandages can come with adhesive and absorbent pads.

·         Gauze pads:  Gauze pads is a piece of gauze fabric used to guard and cushion a wound, to absorb blood or other fluids, to apply ointments, or to rub cleansing fluids, such as rubbing alcohol or iodine, to a wound or site of incision. Gauze pads can be wet or dry.

·         Gauze Sponges: These are most often used for securing bandages to wounds, providing extra absorbency and protection from bacteria.

·         Fingertip Bandages: is a butterfly shaped bandage with an adhesive and an absorbent pad used to protect wounds on the tip of your finger.

·         A self-adhering bandage: is a type of bandage or wrap that adheres to itself, but does not adhere well to other surfaces.

·         Trauma Pads: These sterile, absorbent trauma pads helps stop the bleeding associated with deep lacerations, abrasions, burns, penetration wounds and fractures.

To complete your basic first aid kit you should include vinyl gloves, adhesive tape, tweezers, scissors, first aid cream, burn cream, alcohol pads, sting relief pads, cotton tip applicators, CPR barrier, filtration masks, instant cold packs, antiseptic towelettes, and finger splints. 

Be Prepared For Any Emergency

You never know when or where a disaster will happen. Therefore you need to be prepared for any situation whenever and wherever a disaster, natural or otherwise may happen. Most people who even take the time to prepare for disasters prepare at home. But what about work or school or even in your car.

At home, make sure you have an escape plan. Make sure each member of your family knows exactly what to do and where to go. Set up a family meeting place to keep track of who's there and who's missing. Place a flashlight and a pair of shoes by every bed and make sure you have enough fully stocked survival kits to last your family at least three days and don't forget the first aid kit. Survival kits can be purchased online from Emergency KITS 4U a full service online emergency preparedness survival kit store.

At work if you are not sure ask you supervisor if they have an emergency escape plan in place. If not see if they will put one in place. Take a fully stocked survival kit and place it at or near your work place, keep a flashlight handy.

You should also keep your car well stocked not only with a vehicle emergency kit, but food, water and a first aid kit. Emergency KITS 4U has everything you need to Be Prepared For Any Emergency.