Children

Children can be especially sensitive to the emotional stress of an emergency. Parents can help prepare children by including them in the planning process and answering their questions about safety. Make sure your children take part in your preparation process and ensure that you have included supplies that make them feel comfortable and safe.

Remember:

  • School or Day Care
  • Know your child's school or day care emergency plan.
  • Find out where children will be taken in the event of an evacuation during school hours.
  • Keep your contact information up-to-date at your child's school.
  • Authorize a friend or relative to pick up your children in an emergency and let the school know who that designated person is.
  • Put your child's emergency plan card on file at his or her school.

Teach your children the following:

  • Their basic contact information.
  • How to dial your home telephone number and important cell phone numbers.
  • How and when to call 911. Role-play 911 calls with them.
  • What to do if a parent becomes ill and the child is alone.
  • How to reach an "out-of-area" family contact.
  • What natural gas smells like and what they should do if they smell it.
  • Basic emergency response plans, such as your family evacuation plan and Stop, Drop, & Roll, and practice them together.
    Possible Additions to the Emergency Survival Kit
  • Toys and games
  • A recent family photograph
  • Comfort foods and treats

In order to protect the health and safety of their employees and their businesses, business owners and managers should:

  1. Prepare, review, revise and exercise their emergency plans and evacuation procedures; and
  2. Maintain an emergency supplies kit, including not only survival items (water, flashlight, special medications), but also items that will provide comfort if you are evacuated (comfortable shoes and a first-aid kit)

If threat information is received that is specific to a certain building or business, the appropriate facilities will be contacted as necessary by public safety officials to alert them to additional security provisions that are being made or should be taken.