Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Fires, Floods, Hurricanes, Hazardous Materials Spills
Disasters may strike quickly and without warning. These events can be frightening for adults, but
they are traumatic for children if they don't know what to do.
During a disaster, your family may have to leave your home and daily routine. Children may
become anxious, confused, or frightened. As an adult, you'll need to cope with the disaster in a
way that will help children avoid developing a permanent sense of loss. It is important to give
children guidance that will help them reduce their fears.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross have
prepared this information to help you help your children cope. Ultimately, you should decide
what's best for your children, but consider using these suggestions as guidelines.
Children and Their Response to Disaster
Children depend on daily routines: they wake up, eat breakfast, go to school, play with friends.
When emergencies or disasters interrupt this routine, children may become anxious.
In a disaster, they'll look to you and other adults for help. How you react to an emergency gives
them clues on how to act. If you react with alarm, a child may become more scared. They see our
fear as proof that the danger is real. If you seem overcome with a sense of loss, a child may feel
their losses more strongly.
Children's fears also may stem from their imagination, and you should take these feelings
seriously. A child who feels afraid is afraid. Your words and actions can provide reassurance.
When talking with your child, be sure to present a realistic picture that is both honest and
manageable.
Feelings of fear are healthy and natural for adults and children. But as an adult, you need to keep
control of the situation. When you're sure that danger has passed, concentrate on your child's
emotional needs by asking the child what's uppermost in his or her mind. Having children
participate in the family's recovery activity will help them feel that their life will return to
"normal."
Your response during this time may have a lasting impact. Be aware that after a disaster, children
are most afraid of the following:
1. The event will happen again.
2. Someone will be injured or killed.
3. They will be separated from the family.
4. They will be left alone.
Advice to Parents
Prepare for Disaster
You can create a Family Disaster Plan by taking four simple steps. First, learn what hazards exist
in your community and how to prepare for each. Second, meet with your family to discuss what
you would do, as a group, in each situation. Third, take steps to prepare your family for disaster
such as: posting emergency phone numbers, selecting an out-of-state family contact, assembling
disaster supply kits for each member of your household and installing smoke detectors on each
level of your home. Forth, practice your Family Disaster Plan so that everyone will remember
what to do when a disaster does occur.
Develop and practice a Family Disaster Plan
Contact your local emergency management or civil defense office or your local Red Cross
chapter for materials that describe how your family can create a disaster plan. Everyone in the
household, including children, should play a part in the family's response and recovery efforts.
Teach your child how to recognize danger signals
Make sure your child knows what smoke detectors, fire alarms and local community warning
systems (horns, sirens) sound like.
Explain how to call for help
Teach your child how and when to call for help. Check the telephone directory for local
emergency phone numbers and post these phone numbers by all telephones. If you live in a 9-1-
1-service area, tell your child to call 9-1-1.
Help your child memorize important family information
Children should memorize their family name, address and phone number. They should also
know where to meet in case of an emergency. Some children may not be old enough to
memorize the information. They could carry a small index card that lists emergency information
to give to an adult or baby-sitter.
TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN HOW TO CALL FOR HELP
Teach your child how and when to call for help. They should call 9-1-1 if you live in a 9-1-1-
service area. If not, check the telephone directory for local emergency numbers. The City of
Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish has 9-1-1 service.
AFTER THE DISASTER: TIME FOR RECOVERY
Immediately after the disaster, try to reduce your child's fear and anxiety.
Keep the family together
While you look for housing and assistance, you may want to leave your children with relatives or
friends. Instead, keep the family together as much as possible and make children a part of what
you are doing to get the family back on its feet. Children get anxious, and they'll worry that their
parents won't return.
Calmly and firmly explain the situation
As best as you can, tell children what you know about the disaster. Explain what will happen
next. For example, say, "Tonight, we will all stay together in the shelter."
Encourage children to talk
Let children talk about the disaster and ask questions as much as they want. Encourage children
to describe what they're feeling. Listen to what they say. If possible, include the entire family in
the discussion.
Include children in recovery activities
Give children chores that are their responsibility. This will help children feel they are part of the
recovery. Having a task may help them understand that everything will be all right.
You can help children cope by understanding what causes their anxieties and fears. Reassure
them with firmness and love. Your children will realize that life will eventually return to normal.
If a child does not respond to the above suggestions, seek help from a mental health specialist or
a member of the clergy.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Family Protection Program developed this
information in cooperation with the American Red Cross' Community Disaster Education
Program. Both are national efforts to help people prepare for disasters of all types. For more
information on how to prepare for and respond to disaster, contact your local or State Office of
Emergency Management and your local Red Cross chapter. Ask for "Your Family Disaster
Plan." Or, write to: FEMA, P. O. BOX 70274, Washington, D.C. 20024