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.
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.
