CHARLESTON, W.Va. –
Although disasters can be scary for everyone involved, the Federal Emergency Management Agency offers tips and resources for kids to help them stay safe before, during or after an emergency.
Games, checklists, and other resources geared toward children can be found at www.ready.gov. The West Virginia National Guard’s Children & Youth Program uses these tools to help military families teach preparedness skills to their youngsters.
“The Children & Youth Program feels it is so very important for our military kids and families to be prepared for disasters,” said Susan Izzo, director of the Children & Youth Program. “This includes having a fire safety plan and disaster preparedness kits, as well as understanding the importance of staying calm and knowing where to go and who to call.”
The first step in getting children involved in emergency preparedness is to make and practice a plan. The family may not be altogether when disaster strikes, so the plan should include the contact information for a friend or relative who family members can call if they are separated. Also establish a familiar and easily located meeting place where the family can reconnect. FEMA suggests having a place within the home, neighborhood, and outside city limits so the family can be prepared for any type of situation.
Another way children can help is by building a preparedness kit. The Children & Youth Programs works with families of service members ahead of deployments to build these kits. Additionally, CYP provides families with first aid and starter disaster kits that include items like flashlights, emergency blankets, glow sticks and resources from ready.gov. A full preparedness kit should also include several days’ worth of food, water, cash, and other supplies to help meet basic needs in the event of a prolonged power outage.
Although it may be scary for kids to think about how they would survive a disaster, there are ways to make preparedness fun. FEMA suggests one way is to create a scavenger hunt where younger kids track can down household items to put in the kit. CYP works with the American Red Cross to provide the Pillowcase Project to military kids. This educational resource geared toward third through fifth graders helps them understand the necessity of disaster preparedness and provides them with a sturdy pillowcase to build their personal kits.
“We also have our kids add glow-in-the-dark stickers and tape to the outside of their kits so they can easily find them when the power goes out,” Izzo said.
Visit www.ready.gov for downloadable checklists, guidelines, games, and other activities. Contact Susan Izzo at 304-561-6720 or email susan.c.izzo.nfg@mail.mil for more information and resources.