Preparedness For Children
Before an emergency strikes, be sure to build an emergency preparedness kit for your family. Build the kit to fit your family's unique needs and update the kit regularly. Below are some additional things to consider adding to your kit when preparing for an emergency:
- Comfort Items: Stuffed animal, doll, pacifier or blanket
- Personal Hygiene Products: Baby wipes, diapers, nursing pads
- Children’s Activities: Books, puzzles, games
- Infant Nutrition: Nursing supplies, formula, pre-packaged baby food
- Medical Needs: Infant/child fever reducer, rash ointment
Build a Communications Plan
Be sure to include your children in your emergency planning process. Discuss where your family will meet if separated during an emergency, as well as how you will keep in contact.
- Download, print & fill out a Communications Plan.
- Family Meeting Place: Pick a safe, easily-identifiable spot to meet if separated, such as a local school or library.
- Out of Town Emergency Contact: Include the contact information of a trusted person, who would not be affected by the current emergency.
- In Case of Emergency Contact: Cell phones should have an "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) programmed into their contacts. Teach children to understand what this means.
- Include Texting: Text messages are a great way to get in contact with each other during an emergency, when phone lines may be overwhelmed. Consider creating a family group text message so that you can streamline the process of notifying your loved ones you are safe.
- Understand Childcare Emergency Plans: Ensure your child's caregivers (school, daycare) have a plan for what your child is supposed to do in case of an emergency or severe weather incident.
- Smart911 Safety Profile: If you have children in your home, sign up for Smart911 & Alert HC at www.alerthc.org. Include important information for your children including medical information, contact information, vehicle information, and their pictures. This information will be provided to 9-1-1 and first responders when you/your child calls 9-1-1!
Once your family is out of harm's way, children may still be frightened or confused. Here are some tips to help comfort them:
- Limit TV time: Intense media coverage of disasters can frighten young children.
- Listen: Discuss your child's concerns about the situation.
- Comfort: Let them know their safety is your top priority.
- Be aware: Changes in sleeping, eating and other behaviors can indicate distress. Seek professional support and counseling if they persist.
- Make time: Help kids understand they're safe and secure by talking, playing and other family activities.
- Remain Calm: Your child will learn how to deal with these events from you. Demonstrating calmness will help keep children more calm.
- Care: Make a point of showing sensitivity toward other families impacted by the disaster.
- Routine: Help your children return to normal activities including school, sports and play groups.
- Volunteer: Helping others can give your child a sense of control, security and empathy
For more information on preparing children for emergencies please see: FEMA's Ready Kids.
Preparedness for Older Residents
Plan For An Emergency:
- Download a Communications Plan to create an emergency contact list.
- Know how you will evacuate if needed. If you have access & functional needs, be sure your evacuation & transportation plan fits those needs.
- Create an Emergency Plan.
- Sign up for Alert Hamilton County to get severe weather & emergency alerts: www.alerthc.org.
- Fill out a Smart911 Safety Profile to include important medical information, home information & pictures in case you need to call 9-1-1 during an emergency. Visit www.alerthc.org to fill out a profile.
Medication and Medical Supply Needs:
- Include medications and medical supplies in your emergency preparedness kit. If you take medicine or use a medical treatment on a daily basis, be sure you have a large enough supply of the necessary items for at least a week.
- Keep a copy of your prescriptions as well as dosage or treatment information.
- Identify back-up medical service providers in your area in case you experience a power outage. If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity to operate, consider a battery back-up or home generator.
Additional Tips:
- Have extra supplies in your home if you use eyeglasses, hearing aids and hearing aid batteries, wheelchair batteries, and oxygen.
- Have copies of your medical insurance, Medicare and Medicaid cards readily available.
For more information about preparedness for older residents, please visit: www.ready.gov/older-adults.
Pet Preparedness
Prepare a Pet Preparedness Kit:
- Food and Water- Keep at least three days of food in an airtight, waterproof container. Store at least three days of water specifically for your pets.
- Medicines and Medical Records- Keep an extra supply of medicines your pet takes in a waterproof container. Place copies of your pet's registration information, adoption papers, vaccination documents and medical records in a clean plastic bag or waterproof container
- First Aid Kit – Include cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape, scissors, antibiotic ointment, flea and tick prevention, latex gloves, Isopropyl alcohol and saline solution.
- Collar with ID Tag, Harness or Leash – Your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times. Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag in your pet's emergency supply kit. Consider permanent identification such as microchipping in case your pet gets lost.
- Pet carrier – If you need to evacuate in an emergency situation, take your pets and animals with you, provided that it is practical to do so. Have a sturdy, safe, comfortable crate or carrier ready for transporting your pet.
- Sanitation – Include pet litter and litter box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet's sanitation needs. You can use bleach as a disinfectant (dilute nine parts water to one part bleach), or in an emergency you can also use it to purify water. Use 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented or color safe bleaches, or those with added cleaners.
- A Picture of You and Your Pet Together- If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet. Include detailed information about species, breed, age, sex, color and distinguishing characteristics.
- Familiar Items- Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit. Familiar items can help reduce stress for your pet.
Create an Evacuation Plan:
- Plan how you will gather your pets and have a plan for where you will go during an emergency. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you if practical. If you go to a public shelter, keep in mind your animals may not be allowed inside. Secure appropriate lodging in advance depending on the number and type of animals in your care.
- Find pet friendly hotels along your evacuation route.
Develop a "Buddy System":
- Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Talk with your pet care buddy about your evacuation plans and show them where you keep your pet's emergency supply kit. Also designate specific locations, one in your neighborhood and another farther away, where you will meet in an emergency.
Gather Contact Information for Emergency Animal Treatment:
- Make a list of contact information and addresses of area animal control agencies including the Humane Society, SPCA, and emergency veterinary hospitals. Keep one copy of these phone numbers with you and one in your pet's emergency supply kit. Obtain "Pets Inside" stickers and place them on your doors or windows, including information on the number and types of pets in your home to alert firefighters and rescue workers. Consider putting a phone number on the sticker where you could be reached in an emergency.