The Hartford

When you're creating your family disaster plan, it's important to include children in the planning.  Younger children are particularly vulnerable and may not understand what is happening when a disaster strikes. Preparing children in advance for a natural disaster not only can help reduce anxiety and injuries, but can also help save lives.

Disasters can also have lasting after-effects in children. Children may feel anxious about another disaster happening and being separated from or losing loved ones.

Before the Disaster

• Talk about potential disasters that may occur.  Helping your kids understand what a disaster is, what may happen during a disaster, and preparing them how to respond can help reduce anxiety during an emergency.
• Include children in disaster planning. When you're creating a plan, give your children a role not just in your family disaster plan, but where possible, in the planning itself. This will help them feel involved and more in control during a crisis.
• Make sure children understand the plan.  Practice escape routes and teach your children who they should call during a disaster. Help your kids memorize the phone number of an appointed family contact, know where to meet family members,  and learn to call emergency services when appropriate.

After the Disaster

• Talk with your children about what has happened. Letting your children express how they are feeling can help lessen their anxiety after the fact.
• Re-establish daily routines as soon as possible.  Structure and returning to an established, regular routine can also help in the recovery process.