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| Quick reference medical handouts used
by Pediatric offices |
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Helping Children weather a natural disaster
Parents can help calm children’s common fear of severe weather
and help protect children from harm by discussing how weather happens, ways
to protect the family in advance and what to do in an emergency.
The federal agency charged with managing natural disasters and
emergencies—the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)—offers
these tips for preparing your home and family:
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Educate everyone. It’s important to educate children about weather
and disasters in advance of a scary situation.
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When a child asks a question about disasters, they are likely looking
for both understandable information and reassurance. One way to help children
feel more secure is by teaching them the warning signs and signals for your
areas and rehearsing what to do if a disaster strikes.
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Make prevention a priority. One of the best ways to make everyone
feel safer is to take action to prevent damage to your home. Get children
involved in the prevention process.
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Find out what disasters are possible in your area by contacting your
local Red Cross Chapter or emergency manager or visiting your local library.
You can also visit the FEMA for Kids Web
site.
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If disaster does strike, pay attention to your child’s behavior.
Changes in behavior, such as acting out, unusual shyness or hyperactivity,
and regression to early childhood behaviors can signal that a child needs
help.
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Allow children to share their feelings about what has happened. Suggest
creative means of expressing feelings too—such as drawing, keeping a
journal or writing a story.
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Let friends and neighbors help when they can. Don’t be afraid
or embarrassed to seek assistance for you or your child if the recovery and
rebuilding process becomes overwhelming.
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Make kids feel safer by involving them in actions to prevent damage
to your home.
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Finally, be patient with the recovery process. Remember that children
heal in their own time. Continue to reassure them that they are loved.
Once you know your risks, kids can help with a “home hazard
hunt” to check the safety of your home. They may identify the need to
install hurricane shutters, raise important appliances above flood levels,
or install high-wind or fire resistant shingles to protect from tornados
or wildfires.
Adults and children can work together on a disaster plan for the family
and prepare a disaster kit with canned food, water and other essentials.
Think about where the family would go in case of an evacuation or damage
to the home. Tips for planning can be found in the “Get Ready Get Set”
section of the FEMA for Kids Web
site.
see also:
Talking
to Kids about Disturbing events
As a reminder, this information should not be relied on as
medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice of your child’s pediatrician.
Please read our full disclaimer.
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