Prepping With Kids {A few helpful tips!}

Do you ever sit and think about what would happen to your family if there really were some sort of emergency? I do. ALL.THE.TIME. Which is why I am making this post. Being prepared with just one person is one thing, but suddenly when you have little kids in the picture it gets a lot more stressful. It's important to know what to do in an emergency, and even more important for YOUR KIDS to know what to do in an emergency, especially if your mind is in crazy panic mode!

Here is a list of tips to help you and your kids be prepared for an emergency! Go over the list with your family and if you aren't already doing these things, maybe you can write them down and plan a special family night together where you can go over these tips.

Here we go! 

• First of all, include your children in family discussions and planning for emergency safety. ;)
• Make sure everyone knows where to find your disaster kits or bug out bags.
• If you live in an earthquake prone area, have a flashlight and a pair of shoes under everyone’s bed in case there is an earthquake during the night. Use a plastic bag tied to the leg of the bed to keep them from moving during an earthquake.
• Plan where to meet after a disaster if your home becomes unsafe. Choose two places: one just outside your home and one outside your neighborhood in case you are told to evacuate. Be sure your vehicle's gas tank is always at least half full.
• Determine the best escape routes from your home. Try to identify two escape routes.
• Choose an emergency out-of-state contact (like an aunt or uncle, close family friend, etc.) and instruct them to call this person and tell him/her where they are. 
• Make sure each child knows HOW to reach your family’s out-of-state contact person.
• Locate the gas main and other utilities and make sure family members know when and how to turn them off.
• Practice your evacuation routes, Drop, Cover & Hold and Stop, Drop & Roll drills.
• Teach each member of your family how to use a fire extinguisher.
• Take into account the special needs of your kids, seniors or people with disabilities, family members that don’t speak English and don't forget your pets!
• Teach your children their basic personal information so they can identify themselves and get help if they become separated from you or their guardian.
• Prepare an emergency card with information for each child, including their full name, address, phone numbers, parent’s work number and out of state contact(an aunt or uncle, etc).
• 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.
• Teach children to dial their home telephone number and Emergency 9-1-1.
• 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 & Hold and Stop, Drop & 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 9-1-1.

In your grab and go kit:

• Include a family picture and a favorite toy, game or book for each child in his/her 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.
• Keep extra medications your children are on in your Go-bag.

If you can do these things with your family, I swear you'll sleep better at night knowing that your kids have the tools and skills to be able to handle disaster situations! And, (like I totally need to do now...) every so often, have a refresher course with your family to make sure they remember everything. You'll also be able to update contact lists and your emergency cards.

Thanks for stopping by Prepping With NatSprat! See you again soon! :)

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