- Include your children in family discussions and planning for emergency safety.
- Teach your children their basic personal information so they can identify themselves and get help if they become separated from a parent or guardian.
- Prepare an emergency card with information for each child, including his/her full name, address, phone number, parent's work number and out of state contact.
- 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.
- Make sure each child knows how to reach your family's out-of-state contact person.
- 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 electrical wires on utility 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 On 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.
- 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.