Disaster Preparedness: Mental And Emotional Preparation For Our Little Ones

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Theres often no way to know when youll find your family in an emergency situation. These events might be frightening for adults, but theyre terrifying and traumatic for children. (Especially if they havent been taught what to do.)

In case of a disaster, children should not only be equipped with physical protection, like a 72-hr-kit, shelter, food, and water, but they should also be prepared mentally and emotionally. If danger is near, children may become anxious, confused, and shaken. They need to be taught what to do and given guidance that will help reduce their fears. Its also important to remember that children look to adults for help. If you react to a problem with alarm, a child can see evidence that the danger is real. If you stay calm, the child will also try to be calm. An emergency will have a lasting impact on an observing child based on your response.

Mental Preparation

Plan a meeting place a safe distance for your home where your family can meet if a disaster requires evacuation. This place can be a relatives or family friends house, a school, or a church nearby. Just make sure the route is one your children are, or can become, familiar with and can reach easily.
Provide your children, nearby family, and babysitters with a list of phone numbers they can refer to in case of an emergency. This list should include different emergency numbers, numbers of your familys doctor, and also numbers of family members they can call in case anything happens. Keep your emergency contact list in an easily accessible area. Make sure your child knows where the kit is at all times, and include it in their 72-hr-kit.

Emotional Preparation

Comfort them. Let them ask questions or talk about their fears. Children are less afraid of things they understand.

Assure them that there will be lots of ways they can find help if something happens. Let them know its important to tell someone of any danger theyre in. Explain to them that its important not to hide so that people know theyre safe and dont get hurt looking for them.

Make sure you re-teach and remind children of these things as they grow, and as often as you make new plans.

About the Author:
For the best emergency tips visit http://www.thereadystore.com



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