With Kids Returning to School, Keep Emergency Preparedness in Mind

Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 -- 8:01 AM

As kids start returning to school, preparing for emergencies should be a part of that process.

FEMA Region 5 encourages all families to take the time now to talk about potential disaster risks and steps to stay safe if the unexpected occurs. Learn the risks that may threaten your family at home, school or work. Find more information at www.Ready.gov.

Make sure everyone understands the types of emergency alerts they may receive and how to receive them. Have a family plan. If a disaster happens, knowing who to call and where to meet is an important part of emergency planning for you and your family.

Pick one main contact locally and one contact out of town who may be easier to reach during a disaster. Decide on safe, familiar, accessible places where your family can go for protection or to reunite. If you have pets or service animals, think about animal-friendly locations.

Consider places in your house, in your neighborhood, and outside of your city or town so you’re prepared for any situation. Make sure your family members know to use texting during a disaster to free up phone lines for first responders.

Practice makes perfect. Practice your plan. Put pen to paper and make sure everyone in your family has copies of your plan. Hold regular meetings as a family to review your plan. Build a kit. Keep enough emergency supplies on hand (water, nonperishable food, first aid, prescriptions, flashlight, and battery-powered radio) for everyone in your household. For a list of items to consider including, visit www.ready.gov/kit.

FEMA offers multiple resources to help make disaster preparedness fun and informative for the whole family. Find interactive games to learn disaster: www.ready.gov/kids/games. Access the Prepare with Pedro activity blook: www.ready.gov/kids/prepare-with-pedro.

Start building your family communications plan: https://www.ready.gov/kids/family-emergency-planning/make-a-plan. Serve your community and help take care of your school and home through the Teen Community Emergency Response Team and Campus CERT programs.

For more information, click here: www.ready.gov/teen-cert. For detailed information about how to be ready for the emergencies, visit www.Ready.gov or our Spanish site at www.Listo.gov.

You can also download the free FEMA app, available for your Android or Apple device.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.